Forest fire near Kejimkujik creating problems for Christmas tree woodlots

The owner of a woodlot in Seven Mile Lake, N.S., near Kejimkujik National Park says this week's forest fire wiped out his 12-hectare Christmas tree lot.

Department of Natural Resources officials say the fire has destroyed about 350 hectares of woodland. DanRowterowns land on the west side of Route 8 just north of the park. Hefigures about 80 hectares of that woodlandis his.

"It's a loss," said Rowter."Nothing you can do about it. Nobody was hurt."

He harvests Christmastrees from two lots on thatland and sells the trees to a retailer based in Lunenburg.He's been driving from his home inBridgewaterto check on the lots, but it's been impossible to get close enough to inspect all of the damage.

Praise for firefighters

Rowtergives credit to the firefighters in the field who've been battling the fire for six days now.

"These guys are out there doing their best to fight this thing," he said."The winds are playing havoc with it."

On Tuesday,the winds were blowing from the northwest, pushing the fire in an eastern direction and forcing it to jump from his land west of Route 8 to the east side of the road.

ByWednesday, the winds shifted slightly and areblowing from the southwest.

No rain isexpecteduntilSaturday.

Rowtersays he's not worried about the financial impact of losing the 80 hectares, buthe says the land hasbeen in his family for generations.

"You don't like to lose it," he said. "There are generations to come and you certainly would like to have it intact for them," he said.

'Everyone is on high alert'

Meanwhile, woodlot owners in the path of the fire aren't taking anychances.

MikeKeddyruns a Christmas tree farm in New Ross.This is his busy season when crews are normally out with power saws trimming the trees. However, he's not allowing any machineryon his woodlot.

"The brooks are dry," said Keddy. "The water table is as low as we've ever seen it."

"Everyone is on high alert and taking all the precautions they can."

Keddysays he's letting workers in the woods to do some shearing, but they're only allowed to use knives.

"The reality is it's difficult to stop working in the middle of your season," he said.