News release

Burning Brush Safer in Winter

Natural Resources (to July 2018)

Property owners who burn brush are being encouraged to do so in the winter as opposed to the drier spring months.

Predictions for below average snowfall this winter and a dry spring have Department of Natural Resources officials preparing for an active fire season.

"Chipping and composting are preferred alternatives to burning," said Natural Resources Minister John MacDonell. "However, if property owners wish to burn brush, winter is a safer time of year."

Snow cover provides excellent protection from a fire spreading and turning into a forest fire.

Burning permits are not required between Oct. 16 and March 31 in the counties of Yarmouth, Digby, Shelburne, Kings, Annapolis, Queens, and Lunenburg; and from Oct. 16 to April 14 in other parts of the province.

Municipalities may have additional restrictions. As with any burning, always use extreme caution and keep burn piles at least 10 metres from any structure.

The months of April and May are the most active for fires in Nova Scotia. During the spring, the Department of Natural Resources responds to about 190 fires. More than 97 per cent of all wildland fires in the province are caused by people.

People can take the following steps to protect their homes:

  • manage vegetation within 30 metres of your home
  • clear leaves and twigs from roof lines and gutters
  • keep firewood or other piles of wood more than 10 metres away from any structure
  • rake leaves and debris from around the foundation of your home.

For more FireSmart tips please visit our website at:
http://www.gov.ns.ca/natr/forestprotection/wildfire/firecentre/prevention.asp .

For more information on winter burning, burning permits and wildfires, go to http://www.gov.ns.ca/natr/forestprotection/wildfire .