Residents of Little Harbour, N.S., who had to leave their&nbsp;homes because of a wildfire will be allowed to go back at 8 p.m. AT Tuesday.

In a statement issued late Tuesday afternoon, the Department of Natural Resources and Renewables said the 56.5-hecate fire is now 60 per cent contained, up from 25 per cent earlier in the day.

There are 30 specialized firefighters from the department on the scene in Shelburne County, as well as 17 volunteer firefighters and one department helicopter.

Eleven homes were evacuated due to the fire, displacing 18 residents.

When the residents return to their homes, the power will be&nbsp;turned back on. It had been turned off for safety reasons.

Shelburne County wildfire 25% contained, officials say

The fire near the community of Little Harbour is being held at  56 hectares, but officials say it's not under control yet. As Paul Palmeter reports, the fire has already forced the evacuation of several homes in the area.

Homes evacuated as crews battle wildfire in Shelburne County

Scott Tingley, the manager of forest protection with the department, told Radio-Canada earlier Tuesday that&nbsp;some of the challenges crews are facing are dryness and low humidity.

He said light rain forecast&nbsp;for the region over the next 24 to 48 hours is providing some optimism.

"[It's] probably not enough to give us some long-term relief, but it will certainly help," said Tingley.

Liquor Control Act charges laid against Halifax Alehouse after homicide outside bar

A probe was launched after the province was contacted by Halifax Regional Police about an incident outside the Alehouse on Dec. 24 that resulted in the death of Ryan Sawyer, 31.

Entrance to The Halifax Alehouse night view. 

 The Halifax Alehouse tavern is in a historic building built in 1893 on Brunswick Street.                              

Halifax Alehouse entrance night view

The Halifax Alehouse tavern is housed in a historic building on Brunswick Street that was built in 1893.

Glace Bay fishing group calls on government to clean up contaminated lake

A Glace Bay, N.S., fishing group is calling on government to clean up a lake before it is restocked with fish after tests they commissioned show E.coli levels above Canada Health guidelines.

Two man stand on grass in front if a small dam

Donald McNeil (left), president of the No. 20 Dam Sport Fishing Association and association member George Whalen next to the dam they say is contributing contamination of the lake.

Donald McNeil and George Whalen

Donald McNeil, left, president of the No. 20 Dam Sport Fishing Association and association member George Whalen next to the dam they say is contributing contamination of the Glace Bay lake.

N.S. police officers who have pulled over most impaired drivers honoured

MADD Canada has joined with police forces across Nova Scotia to honour the officers who have caught the most impaired drivers. The awards were handed out Monday at RCMP headquarters in Dartmouth. They honour the memory of Const. Heidi Stevenson, who was killed in the line of duty three years ago during the Nova Scotia mass shooting. Blair Rhodes has the story.

N.S. police who have pulled over most impaired drivers honoured

Nova Scotia announces plans for youth climate council

A Nova Scotian youth environmentalist is welcoming the creation of a new council that will allow young people to provide feedback to the provincial government on how to respond to climate change.

Four people are posed for a photo op after a government announcement on Monday. 

The provincial government announced funding on Monday for a Youth Climate Council that will advise environmental policy. 

Clean Foundation

The provincial government announced funding on Monday for a Youth Climate Council that will advise it on environmental policy. From left, Environment Minister Tim Halman, Clean Foundation CEO Scott Skinner,  youth council member Jude Sampson and Lauren Murphy, director of workforce development with Clean Foundation.

African Nova Scotian school support workers walk the picket line on Black Excellence Day in Halifax

It's Black and Gold day on the picket lines. Today is Black Excellence Day in schools and African Nova Scotian support workers are not able to provide the services they normally would.

Two African Nova Scotian student support workers striking 

Black Excellence Day is a day to highlight the achievements of African Nova Scotian students, but amid the CUPE strike, African Nova Scotian student support workers were unable to attend their schools' celebrations on Monday. 

Black Excellence Day x CUPE

Area around Shelburne County, N.S., on Tuesday.

Little Harbour wildfire now 60% contained

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