A fire burning near Parrsboro in Cumberland County has consumed between eight and 10 hectares of land along the Minas Basin, say fire officials.

"It's a relatively good-sized fire," Mike Johnson, emergency management co-ordinator with Cumberland County, said Thursday afternoon.

"It's in the Diligent River area, it's burning between the shore and the 209 Highway."

He said there are three homes in the path of the fire that may have to be evacuated if the blaze continues to spread.

Fire crews are beginning to get the situation under control, Johnson said.

"The fire is not contained but they almost have it surrounded by hoses. They anticipate the fire will be contained, or knocked down, sometime later on this afternoon," he said.

However, Johnson advised residents to be aware there is a fire in the area and to prepare in case it is necessary for them to leave.

The Department of Natural Resources said the first fire started at around 11 a.m. There are members of five volunteer fire departments at the scene, along with firefighters with the department.