High to extreme fire risk continues in N.S.

CBC News  Posted: Jul 13, 2012 8:07 PM AT Last Updated: Jul 13, 2012 9:20 PM AT

The hot, dry weather continues and so does the high to extreme fire risk throughout the province.

Campers hoping to take advantage of the beautiful summer weather by engaging in traditional summer activities such as roasting marshmallows over an open fire may be in for disappointment.

At Dollar Lake, campers are being greeted with a warning. They can only burn fires from 7 p.m. until 10 p.m. and they have to be in designated fire pits.

Across the province, campers are facing similar restrictions and with good reason.

Designated fire pits, such as the one pictured here, are used to safely contain campfires. (Carolyn Ray/CBC)In the last 24 hours, fire crews have been called to a few small fires across the province.

The latest fire index released Friday afternoon shows a lot more red, meaning more zones with an extreme risk.

Fire risk is calculated by a special formula factoring in rain, humidity, wind and temperature.

Jim Rudderham, the province's supervisor of wildfire management, said the fire crews are ready.

"We have crews all around the province on standby. Our helicopters are stationed to change places around the province. They're ready for anything that might come up," Rudderham said.

This weekend, the forecast includes some thundershowers, but that's no relief to those on standby.

"I think it's going to cause us more work. There's not a lot of rain expected... and of course with thunder, there's lightning," Rudderham said, "So there's that issue."

Fire experts are asking people to be vigilant this weekend.

If you spot a fire, report it. With recent dry conditions, Rudderham said it won't take much for a small fire to become a big problem.