AMHERST – A small forest fire broke out in the Joggins area late Saturday and fire fighters are continuing to monitor the fire today.
Fire equipment maintenance supervisor, Bruce Hamilton, with the Department of Natural Resources in Shubenacadie said he received a call at 6 p.m. on Saturday from a man in New Brunswick who reported seeing smoke from across the water.
The initial attack on the fire was carried out by department personnel before fire departments from throughout the region were able to get it under control.
“They used our 212 helicopter on it (at first), said Hamilton. “But later on, the fire department was able to put in a long (fire) line from the fire trucks.”
Fire fighters had the fire under control before nightfall.
“We don’t fight in the middle of the night but when they left it that night it (the fire) was knocked down,” said Hamilton.
Because of the dry weather, firefighters will have to keep a close eye on the area to ensure safety.
“It’s being patrolled and will continue to be looked at for a few days,” said Hamilton. “A crew is there now and, because it’s so dry, they will continue to look at it for a few days just to make sure it’s out.”
The fire reportedly broke out in a clear-cut area, but the cause and size of the fire hasn’t been established yet.
“It was a few hectares, but the actual size hasn’t come in yet. The technician is probably there now (Monday) GPS’ing to get the size.”
