*Strong winds fan raging forest fires in Canada*

14 Jun 2008 18:11:47 GMT
Source: Reuters

TORONTO, CANADA  June 15 (Reuters) - Strong winds fanned two forest
fires near Halifax, Nova Scotia on Saturday forcing more than 3,000
people from their homes.

A total of seven fires began on Friday on both sides of Halifax, but
firefighters managed to reduce the number of fires to two.

The larger of the blazes is in Cole Harbour, east of Halifax, while the
other is near Tantallon, west of the city.

Thick smoke could be seen from miles away making it difficult to
determine the extent of the damage to the homes and cottages along the
coast line.

"The winds are picking up and that's what's helping the fire. It would
be great if it would turn back on its burned area, that way it's got
nothing to burn," Roy Hollett, deputy chief of the Halifax Regional Fire
Department, told CTV News.

More than 100 firefighters have been battling the flames with the help
of two waterbomber planes and several helicopters since Friday afternoon.

The cause of the fires is under investigation. (Reporting by Scott
Anderson)