Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia burning restrictions, seasonal crews extended

The Department of Natural Resources will keep seasonal firefighters and burning restrictions in place until late October.

Seasonal firefighters and burning restrictions now in place until Oct. 22

A burned-out section at the site of the Seven Mile Lake fire is shown in mid-August. The fire burned through 396 hectares of forest. (Communications Nova Scotia)

This summer's hot, dry weather has the province going to unusual lengths to prevent wildfires.

The Department of Natural Resources announced Thursday it would keep seasonal firefighters and burning restrictions in place longer that usual. 

Wildfire risk season usually runs from March 15 to Oct. 15, but this year it will continue until Oct. 22. Seasonal fire crews in the western and central regions of the province will stay on until that date. 

"Conditions are still too dry to let our guard down and we urge everyone to follow the burning restrictions posted online," said Lloyd Hines, minister of Natural Resources, in a statement. 

There is no burning allowed between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. — that includes at private, municipal and provincial campgrounds. At the moment there is absolutely no burning permitted in Annapolis, Digby, Kings, Lunenburg, Queens, Shelburne and Yarmouth counties. 

The province posts up-to-date burning restrictions each day at 2 p.m.