Burning Permits Required in Seven Counties

Starting Saturday, April 1, burning permits are required in the seven western counties for anyone who wants to burn brush within 305 metres (1,000 feet) of the woods.

The counties are Queens, Shelburne, Yarmouth, Digby, Annapolis, Kings and Lunenburg. Permits are required in remaining counties by Saturday, April 15th. The fire season lasts provincewide until October 15.

Starting a fire without a permit could result in a fine of up to $500, six months in jail, or both. The Department of Natural Resources will place advertisements in Nova Scotia newspapers the week of March 28.

"This is an important safety practice," said Natural Resources Minister Brooke Taylor. "Early spring can be a risky time for forest fires, so permits help ensure that burning is done in a responsible, controlled manner. It helps protect our residents, wildlife and vegetation."

The price for a permit is the same as last year -- $5 for a domestic permit, $50 for an industrial permit. For more information, contact a local Natural Resources office.

The public can report a forest fire by calling 911 or toll-free at 1-800-565-2224. Landowners should also contact their municipal government office to see if any additional permits are required.