Flames have flared up once again in a number of spots in the woods near Cole Harbour, N.S., and at least 10 homes on Astral Drive remain under a mandatory evacuation order.
The fire is burning on a 20- to 27-hectare area south of Bissett Lake, said Roy Hollett, deputy chief for Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency.
"It actually got quite deep. Talking to DNR [Department of Natural Resources], they're surprised at how deep this fire got down," Hollett told reporters during a Monday morning update.
He said this is the largest brush fire in the Halifax regional this year.
Hollett said late Monday morning that people under the mandatory evacuation of some Astral Drive homes will be allowed back to their home briefly, under escort, to pick up personal items.
He said the street will be congested with fire fighting equipment including acting as a landing pad for DNR's helicopter.
Natural Resources spokesperson Bruce Nunn said 25 Natural Resources staffers are working on the fire.
Hollett said 35 to 40 firefighters are working at the site today, trying to get the fire under control. He said there's still the "tedious work" of digging down and saturating the soil to prevent more flare ups yet to do.
The fire is thought to have started near the Salt Marsh Trail in Cole Harbour.
It's currently burning about 300 metres from homes.
CBC reporters Brett Ruskin and Paul Palmeter, sent to the area, said they couldn't see any signs of smoke early Monday morning.
Hollett said deeper into the bush crews are seeing flames and smoke.
He said it's still too early to determine what caused the fire, and expects to provide another update around 3 p.m. local time.
Helicopters are dropping water on the 27 hectare fire, Those who live at the end of Astral Drive still evacuated from their homes. <a href="https://twitter.com/PaulRPalmeter?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PaulRPalmeter</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CBCNS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CBCNS</a> <a href="https://t.co/1iBFZ4ptOb">pic.twitter.com/1iBFZ4ptOb</a>
—@SteveBerryCBCNo serious air quality effects reported
Environment Canada issued a special air quality statement that said people near or down wind from the fire in the Cole Harbour area may experience smoke and elevated air pollution levels.
However, in its latest update, the national weater service said it has not received any reports that smoke is impacting people's health and that the wind direction is sending most of the smoke offshore.
Environment Canada said unless smoke or weather conditions change considerably, the air quality statement will likely be lifted soon.
The weather service said conditions on Monday are expected to remain dry due to a high-pressure system over the region.
It warned that winds are expected to pick up near noon from the north and reach up to 20 km/h with a slight risk of rain.
The wind is expected to die down overnight Monday with temperatures dropping down to single digits bringing the possibility of frost.
Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency crews monitored the fire overnight at the south end of Astral Drive, Beaver Crescent and Lakeridge Crescent.
At first, as many as 75 to 100 homes were under a voluntary evacuation order, however, most people were allowed to return at around 10 p.m. on Sunday. Those allowed to return home were also told to stay alert and be prepared to leave once again with five minutes notice.