Firefighting crews were battling three forest fires in New Brunswick on Tuesday afternoon, and efforts to contain the blazes were expected to continue into the evening.

Some homes in the rural area of Salisbury were evacuated because of a 10-hectare fire, and trucks from five fire departments were on the scene. Six air tankers were also being sent to the area.

Two fires were also reported in the St. George area. 

Tim Greer, a fire behaviour specialist with the Department of Natural Resources, said the fires, being fought by five water bombers, spread over about 40.5 hectares in an hour.

Officials with the department said the forest fire danger index was extremely high throughout the province. 

Fourteen fires have been reported in the province since Monday. Since the start of the forest fire season on April 16, more than 100 fires have been reported.