N.S. Wildfire-Risk Season March 15-October 15

Provincial burn restrictions will be in effect from March 15 to October 15.

Mark your calendars for March 15, 2025. Adhere to these restrictions or you will receive a visit from your local fire department and/or DNRR. Charges are hefty.

From March 15 to October 15, during wildfire risk season, no domestic brush burning or campfires are allowed in the specified hours. Burn restrictions will be updated daily at 2:00 pm. It is your responsibility to check the fire restrictions online or by calling 1-855-564-2876 to determine if burning is permitted or by visiting the burn map website at www.novascotia.ca/burnsafe. Additionally, you must adhere to municipal bylaws, which may be more stringent than provincial regulations.

The daily fire restrictions encompass open fires, including:

- Campfires and fire pits

- Chimineas, fire bowls, and wood-burning stoves

- Burn barrels

- Domestic brush burning

- Industrial burning, including agricultural purposes and clearing building lots

These restrictions do not apply to CSA-approved appliances when used according to the manufacturer's instructions, such as barbecues, fire bowls, stoves, and patio heaters that utilize propane, natural gas, or other designated gases. Charcoal barbecues are only permitted with briquettes.

Please be aware that consumer fireworks are banned by the Office of the Fire Marshal when the fire risk map is red. Only professional firework companies with permits and appropriate fire safety measures are allowed to use fireworks.

Lastly, sky lanterns are completely prohibited in Nova Scotia due to their uncontrollable nature, which poses a significant fire risk when they land in forests or on structures.

Use common sense

Burn map colours and their meanings:

-- If a county is shown in green, burning is permitted after 2 p.m.

-- If a county is shown in yellow, burning is permitted after 7 p.m.

-- If a county is shown in red, burning is not permitted that day.

In an emergency, Nova Scotians can report wildfires by calling 1-800-565-2224 or 911.

Quick Facts:

-- Residents should check municipal bylaws first before burning; rules may vary, and local bylaws take precedence over provincial restrictions.

-- Weather, temperature and humidity data are collected daily from more than 30 stations across the province to calculate fire risk and determine burn restrictions.

-- Industrial burning, which includes clearing agricultural land, clearing blueberry fields larger than two hectares, or burning brush piles larger than two by three metres requires a permit from the Department of Natural Resources and Renewables.

-- Fighting wildfires puts provincial and volunteer firefighters at risk and takes millions of dollars in resources.

Additional Resources:

BurnSafe map: https://novascotia.ca/burnsafe

Nova Scotia wildfire statistics: https://novascotia.ca/natr/forestprotection/stats.asp

Frequently asked questions about burning: https://novascotia.ca/.../fore.../wildfire/burnsafe/Q-As.asp

Natural Resources and Renewables on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NS_DNRR