Fire officials say the biggest wildfire in western Nova Scotia has stopped in its tracks, and it’s 70 per cent of the way to being contained.
The Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources says the current size of the fire at Seven Mile Lake remains at 395 hectares.
The cooler, wetter weather has made the work easier for firefighters. Under the overcast skies after the rain, the grasses and trees are turning a little greener.
"This little break will hopefully make things easier on the front lines for the firefighters who are right in the middle of it,” said Dan Steeves of Department of Natural Resources. “We're hoping to reinforce our guards today and possibly make a little more ground."
The head of the fire is now deep in the woods away from Highway 8. Fighting the fire has become a Maritime-wide effort.
"We had five firefighters from P.E.I. show up (Saturday) morning, so between Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and P.E.I., there's over 50 Department of Natural Resource staffs," said Steeves.
There is still work being done along Highway 8. Trees were cut so they wouldn't fall on the road. Rough terrain has been a major complication in fighting the fire.
“The fire burned so intense and so deeply that in many places it actually burned the roots out of the trees that were growing perpendicular to the highway," said Steeves.
Officials say there have been no significant changes to other wildfires in western Nova Scotia since Saturday morning.
The Department of Natural Resources says despite the rain, conditions continue to be extremely dry. Travel restrictions and a burn ban are in effect across Nova Scotia and people are asked to continue to avoid any activity that could potentially cause more fires.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Ron Shaw.
