Forest fire near Kejimkujik National Park half contained, officials say

Officials say half of the persistent forest fire burning near Kejimkujik National Park at Seven Mile Lake is now contained.

The 10 millimetres of rain Nova Scotia's Department of Natural Resources says fell Friday did little to dampen the 395-hectare fire and crews are still fighting it from the air, dumping water on the head of the flames.

• Lightning forced crews, air tankers from fighting Seven Mile Lake blaze at times

They plan to continue building guards, reinforcing fire lines and protecting unoccupied buildings in the area.

There are no major changes to the other fires burning in western Nova Scotia. Trunk 8 is still closed Saturday because of water bombing operations.

• Halifax photographer gets up close to 'massive' forest fire near Keji

Air quality alert

Air quality alerts are in place for Annapolis, Colchester, Digby, Halifax east of Porters Lake, Pictou, Queens,Shelburne and Yarmouth counties.

Environment Canada advises people in those areas who have breathing difficulties to stay inside.

Conditions are still extremely dry and people are still barred from entering most wooded areas and lighting brush or campfires across the province.

• Nova Scotia blows through budget for fighting forest fires
• Forest fire near Kejimkujik burns entire Christmas tree farm
• 'Water crisis' hits West Pubnico as wells dry up, says EMO co-ordinator