Firefighters are no longer battling open flame in central Newfoundland, but hot spots are flaring up and those have to be found and attacked.

About 24,000 hectares of forest has burned in Newfoundland and Labrador so far this year, one of the most destructive ever. For example, last year fires consumed only about 540 hectares.

Dozens of firefighters have shifted their focus over the past few days to the hot spots.

Wes Morgan, the fire duty officer with the province, says the work is physically demanding.

Fifty-nine personnel are on the ground digging up the spots in an effort to get them out. which is a very labour-intensive process says Morgan.