Latest news with #burnrestrictions
CBC
5 days ago
- Climate
- CBC
Nova Scotia has issued more than $288K in burn-ban fines in 2025
Agencies in Nova Scotia have issued 10 tickets worth more than $25,000 each to people allegedly violating burn restrictions so far this year amid dry conditions that have increased the risk of wildfires throughout the province. Natural Resources Minister Tory Rushton said Tuesday that seven summary offence tickets have been issued by conservation officers under the Forests Act since the fine was permanently increased in May. Nova Scotia RCMP said its officers issued three tickets under the act in May, June and July. A victim surcharge and HST also apply to the fine, bringing the total to $28,872.50. That amounts to more than $288,000 in fines and fees being issued so far this year. The fine previously applied to violating daily burn restrictions, but now also applies to violations of new rules announced on Tuesday, which include a ban on hiking, camping, fishing and use of vehicles such as ATVs in the woods. Scott Tingley, the manager of forest protection for the Natural Resources Department, said the dry conditions, with no rain in the forecast for at least 10 days, mean everyone needs to do their part to prevent wildfires. "You get to a point in the conditions where it wouldn't matter how much equipment you had on the shelf or personnel or aircraft, they can't stop those fires in the worst conditions," Tingley told CBC Radio's Information Morning Nova Scotia on Wednesday. "And that's where we're headed right now." Travel and activity in the woods were also banned in May 2023 while the province battled two major wildfires that destroyed hundreds of homes. The restrictions were initially put in place for about four weeks or until conditions allowed them to be lifted. The restrictions were lifted after about a week. Bans were also implemented in 2016 and 2001 due to fires and dry conditions. Agencies that enforce the Forests Act have the ability to issue the fine, including Natural Resources, police departments and RCMP. Last year, 16 tickets were handed out by Natural Resources and RCMP, totalling more than $460,000 in fines and fees. Rushton said there have been about 100 small wildfires in Nova Scotia so far this season that were extinguished quickly.
CTV News
16-07-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
High temperatures, dry conditions cause forest fire concern in Cape Breton
High temperatures and dry weather are raising concerns about wildfires in Cape Breton. With temperatures soaring and dry conditions around the Cape Breton Regional Municipality, some are casting a wary eye toward the woods. 'I am surrounded by trees, and you know what? Fire has always been a concern of mine,' said Sheilah MacDonald, a woodlot owner who lives on the Morrison Road just outside of Sydney. With wildfires burning on the Bonavista Peninsula in Newfoundland, MacDonald is worried they could happen where she lives. 'I put together a 'go bag' in the event of a fire, because if one comes through there's really nothing I can do about it," MacDonald said. Most parts of Nova Scotia are currently under burn restrictions. The forest protection manager for the province's Department of Natural Resources, Scott Tingley, said rainfall has been below seasonal average - leaving water levels low in lakes, rivers and streams. 'As we see water levels or days without precipitation increase we see that forest floor and all that dead organic material. More and more that becomes available as fuel', Tingley said. North Sydney Volunteer Fire chief Lloyd MacIntosh said most people follow the safety rules including burn bans but it is even more important to be vigilant right now. 'It wouldn't be too hard to set a fire in conditions like this,' MacIntosh said. 'If you can walk on the grass and the grass is crunchy, that's too dry. Sometimes it's just luck that keeps things safe and right now I'd say we're in a lucky position. We have to be careful. People have to be careful.' Beaches are another casualty of the warm conditions. Oakfield Park Beach outside Halifax is closed to swimming because of a possible blue-green algae bloom. MacDonald said she has an exit strategy in case a wildfire breaks out but she's still afraid. 'It doesn't make it any less nerve-wracking, considering the number of trees that are down in the woods right now after Fiona,' she said. Tingley sad one saving grace might be the high humidity, which he says can help reduce forest fire risk. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
