A wildfire has broken out in the Susies Lake area of Halifax, the Department of Natural Resources confirms.

The size is not yet known, but large columns of smoke are visible across the city.

DNR is managing the evacuation of a commercial building on Dugger McNeil Drive.

A DNR helicopter and four 802 airplanes from New Brunswick are en route, said the department.

“People are asked to avoid the area,” the department said in a social media post around 3:20 p.m. Tuesday.

District 3 Chief Steve Bussey says about 30 firefighters are on scene right now.

More to come.