Ban on Open Fires

A ban has been placed on open fires in western and central Nova Scotia, effective at noon today, Aug. 10. It is expected to remain in force until mid-September, unless the province receives significant rain.

Annapolis, Colchester, Cumberland, Digby, Halifax, Hants, Kings, Lunenburg, Queens, Pictou, Shelburne, and Yarmouth counties are included in this ban.

"The warm, dry weather we are experiencing has brought the fire weather index to high throughout most of the mainland of Nova Scotia," said Walter Fanning, manager, forest protection, at the Department of Natural Resources. "So far this year, we have had 239 fires with 501 hectares burned. The potential for even greater fire damage increases every day without rain. A ban on open fires will take away one significant cause of forest fires."