UPDATE: Wildfire Season Extended to October 31st

N.S. Wildfire-Risk Season Updates

All of the information shown here has been adapted from the Government of Nova Scotia website: https://news.novascotia.ca

Wildfire Season Extended Provincewide

Photo Courtesy: Government of Nova Scotia

Due to continued fire activity in Nova Scotia, wildfire season is extended provincewide to October 31.

The full burn ban will remain in effect in Annapolis County and daily burn restrictions will continue to apply in all other counties to the end of the month. The fine for violations is $25,000

“We have never seen wildfire activity so late in the season, so we’re taking this step to help keep our people and our communities safe,” said Tory Rushton, Minister of Natural Resources. “The daily burn restrictions are based on science, data and our staff’s expertise and experience. Extending the restrictions to the end of the month means we’ll have a better chance of avoiding more fires.”

Wildfire season – which normally runs from March 15 to October 15 – was extended by a week in 2016 because of drought conditions. It was shortened with a delayed start in 2015 after a winter of heavy snowfall.

The daily burn restrictions – and the continued ban in Annapolis County – apply to open fires such as campfires, bonfires, brush fires, fires in chimeneas and any other fire that is not enclosed and uses wood as the fuel. Unlike gas or charcoal fires, sparks could escape from an open wood fire and cause a wildfire.

The restrictions do not apply to non-wood-burning devices such as charcoal and gas barbeques and gas stoves, which can be used following the manufacturer’s instructions.

Quick Facts:

the Province’s BurnSafe map, which lets people know where and when burning is permitted, will remain red for Annapolis County to the end of October, meaning open fires are not allowed
for all other counties, the map will be red from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. because burning is never permitted during those hours; the daily restrictions will be posted at 2 p.m. to show what is and is not allowed for the rest of the day

Additional Resources:

Wildfire season extension order: https://novascotia.ca/alerts/docs/fire-season-extension-order-2025-10-01.pdf

Burn ban proclamation: https://novascotia.ca/natr/forestprotection/wildfire/fire-proclamation_2025-09-26.pdf

BurnSafe map and information on fire restrictions: https://novascotia.ca/burnsafe/

Forests Act: https://nslegislature.ca/sites/default/files/legc/statutes/forests.pdf

News release – Provincewide Burn Ban Lifted Except in Annapolis County: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2025/09/26/provincewide-burn-ban-lifted-except-annapolis-county

News release – Provincewide Burn Ban in Effect: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2025/07/30/provincewide-burn-ban-effect

UPDATED SEPTEMBER 26, 2025, via Government of Nova Scotia:

Provincewide Burn Ban Lifted Except in Annapolis County

Photo Courtesy: Government of Nova Scotia

With conditions improving, the ban on open fires is lifted in all counties except Annapolis as of 8 p.m. today, September 26.

The ban will remain in place in Annapolis County until the end of wildfire season due to the ongoing Long Lake wildfire.

“It’s been a very challenging wildfire season, and I thank all Nova Scotians for co-operating with the prevention measures we put in place,” said Tory Rushton, Minister of Natural Resources. “For most of the province, the daily burn restrictions will resume until the end of the season, and it’s still very important that everyone follow them to keep our people and our communities safe.”

The restrictions do not apply to non-wood-burning devices like charcoal and gas barbeques and gas stoves, which can be used following manufacturer’s instructions.

Quick Facts:

the provincewide ban was put in place through a proclamation under the Forests Act on July 30; the proclamation was revised for Annapolis County today
the Province’s BurnSafe map, which lets people know where and when burning is permitted, will remain red for Annapolis County while the proclamation is in effect, meaning open fires are not allowed
for all other counties, the map will be red from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. because burning is never permitted during those hours; the daily restrictions will be posted at 2 p.m. to show what is and is not allowed for the rest of the day
the usual end of wildfire season is October 15

Additional Resources:

Burn ban proclamation: https://novascotia.ca/natr/forestprotection/wildfire/fire-proclamation_2025-09-26.pdf

Information on fire restrictions and the BurnSafe map: https://novascotia.ca/burnsafe/

Forests Act: https://nslegislature.ca/sites/default/files/legc/statutes/forests.pdf

News release – Provincewide Burn Ban in Effect: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2025/07/30/provincewide-burn-ban-effect

Travel, Activities in Woods Restricted to Prevent Wildfires

Photo Courtesy: Government of Nova Scotia

The Province is restricting travel and activities in the woods because continued hot, dry conditions have greatly increased the risk of wildfires.

The restrictions, effective as of 4 p.m. today, August 5, include:

hiking, camping, fishing and the use of vehicles in the woods are not permitted
trail systems through woods are off limits
camping is allowed only in campgrounds.

These and other measures are in place on provincial Crown and private land until October 15 or until conditions allow them to be lifted. The fine for violating the restrictions is $25,000.

“Conditions continue to be extremely dry. Until we get a significant amount of rain, we’re at an elevated risk of wildfires,” said Premier Tim Houston. “Most wildfires are caused by human activity, so to reduce the risk, we’re keeping people out of the woods until conditions improve. I’m asking everyone to do the right thing – don’t light that campfire, stay out of the woods and protect our people and communities.”

Forestry, mining and any commercial activity on provincial Crown lands are also restricted. People who conduct this kind of activity can apply for a permit at their local Department of Natural Resources office.

While the restrictions are in place, people can still access beaches and parks, but not the trail systems. Private landowners are free to use their own properties but cannot host others to use wooded areas of their properties.

Quotes:

“We’ve had about 100 wildfires this season. They’ve all been small and put out quickly, but that could change in a heartbeat in these dry conditions. I ask everyone to co-operate, stay out of the woods and be sensible in applying these rules to help keep our people and our communities safe.” — Tory Rushton, Minister of Natural Resources

Quick Facts:

the restrictions were put in place through a proclamation under the Forests Act
people with questions about the restrictions can call their local Department of Natural Resources office
a provincewide ban on open fires started on July 30 and will remain in place until October 15 or until conditions improve; the fine for violating the ban is $25,000

Additional Resources:

Woods restrictions proclamation: https://novascotia.ca/natr/forestprotection/wildfire/woods-proclamation_2025-08-05.pdf

News release – Provincewide Burn Ban in Effect: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2025/07/30/provincewide-burn-ban-effect

Department of Natural Resources offices: https://novascotia.ca/natr/staffdir/offices_map.asp

Natural Resources on X: https://x.com/NS_DNR

Fireworks Banned Provincewide

To protect communities across Nova Scotia and lower the risk of wildfires, the Province has banned the use of all fireworks.

As of today, August 6, all fireworks and pyrotechnic special effects are not permitted as long as a burn ban is in effect. There is currently a ban in place until October 15 or until conditions allow it to be lifted. The fine for violating the fireworks ban is $25,000.

The new ban applies to consumer and display fireworks and pyrotechnic special effects even if they have the appropriate approvals.

Quick Facts:

a provincewide ban on open fires started on July 30 and will remain in place until October 15 or until conditions improve
travel and activities in woods were restricted as of August 5, until October 15 or until conditions improve
people with questions about woods restrictions can call their local Department of Natural Resources office