Work Continues on Spryfield Fire Scene

Thirty-three firefighters from Department of Natural Resources remain at the scene of the Spryfield fire. Area residents can expect to see firefighters working in the area for a few days to ensure no additional flare ups occur and to remove equipment.

"Firefighters have been working tirelessly on this fire, but there is still a lot of work to do," said Department of Natural Resources Minister Carolyn Bolivar-Getson. "Department of Natural Resources and Halifax Regional Municipality fire crews won't leave the scene of a fire until they are sure there is no longer any threat of hot spots flaring up and making the fire active again."

The fire was brought under control by the work of Halifax Regional Municipality and Department of Natural Resources fire crews, the department's five helicopters, and three water-bombers from New Brunswick. The rain that began at about noon on Friday, May 1, was also a major factor in controlling the fire.

The resources from New Brunswick were made possible by the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre and the Canadian Mutual Aid Resource Sharing Agreement. The agreement, established in the early 1980s, ensures that all provinces and territories will receive help if forest fires becomes too big for them to handle alone

Nova Scotians are reminded that burning brush within 305 metres of woods requires a provincial burning permit. However, the Department discourages brush burning of any kind during this time of year.

"This was a wind-driven fire, fueled by fine forest materials such as dried leaves and pine needles, which is normal in Spring conditions," said Paul Schnurr, Department of Natural Resources fire information officer . "It's important to remember that because these fuels burn quickly, they also dry quickly. The rain is lessening the fire hazards throughout the province now, but when the weather clears, we can quickly see dangerous fire conditions again."