The province has confirmed the wildfire burning near Halifax’s Bayers Lake was caused by people.

Nova Scotia’s Department of Natural Resources says crews found an open fire when they arrived at Susies Lake on Tuesday afternoon, but whoever started it had already left. The fire is holding at about 15 hectares, but it remains out of control.

Thirty provincial firefighters and six Halifax Fire crews are working on the ground this morning, taking advantage of foggy, misty conditions. Helicopters are on standby until the fog clears.

The province is still asking people to avoid non-essential travel to Bayers Lake so emergency crews can move freely. An evacuation order remains in place for several businesses along Chain Lake Drive.

Elsewhere, an eight-hectare fire near Hoyt Lake in Annapolis County is still out of control, and crews are also watching a smaller blaze at Long Lake. In Cumberland County, several small wildfires near Oxford are being held or are under control after water drops from a provincial helicopter and work by local fire departments.

Officials say the dry conditions are driving up wildfire activity, with crews responding to 17 fires in the past 24 hours alone. More updates on all fires are expected later this morning.