FOG BLOG MARITIME LOG: WILDFIRE , 80 Ha BIG NO LONGER OUT OF CONTROL IN WEYMOUTH NOVA SCOTIA!

Wildfire burning near Weymouth no longer out of control

Blaze is burning over an area of roughly 80 hectares A forest fire southeast of Weymouth, N.S., was no longer burning out of control Tuesday afternoon, as residents banded together to support crews that descended upon the small community of Hassett.

Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources and Renewables spokesperson Scott Tingley said Tuesday the fire in Digby County was "being held" in position.

"We're not expecting the fire to grow and present significant challenges," Tingley, manager of forest protection with the department, told CBC's Maritime Noon.

"Crews are confident given the current forecast conditions and resources they have ... they're going to make good progress today." Dozens of firefighters were on the ground in Hassett on Tuesday, as well as provincial helicopters.

Tingley said the fire was spread over an area of roughly 80 hectares, but emphasized that the flames were "patchy" and that the entire area was not on fire.

Several homes voluntarily evacuated on Monday, but no official evacuation orders had been issued. She said the crew was gone by Tuesday morning, but a firefighter returned in the afternoon to let her and her husband know the fire had reached the property next door.

"I'm a little anxious, for sure," said Mullen, who has lived in the area for 36 years. "We can see a lot more smoke and the smell of smoke is very strong in the area." The Havelock Wesleyan Church was being used as a comfort centre and command centre for the operation.

Christy Allen Mullen has lived in Hassett for 25 years and said the community is extremely tight-knit — a place where "everybody talks to everybody."

She said residents have been coming together to help any way they can. She described seeing piles of bottled water and food at the local church.

"Even my mother-in-law was baking yesterday afternoon and taking food over to the firefighters and the crews that were on hand," said Mullen in an interview Tuesday morning.