Woods ban lifted everywhere except Annapolis County

CITYnews halifax /By Natasha O’Neill

A provincial woods ban is being lifted across Nova Scotia everywhere except for Annapolis County where crews are still dealing with a wildfire.

As of 4:00 p.m. on Sept. 18, people will be able to do activities in the woods, a measure brought in to mitigate the extremely dry conditions the majority of the province was dealing with.

Conditions have improved for most places except for Annapolis County, officials said.

“We’re at a point where, for both reasons, it’s time to lift these restrictions everywhere except Annapolis County, where crews are continuing to fight the Long Lake wildfire,” Natural Resources Minister Tory Rushton said in a press release.

The wildfire remains held at 8,468 hectares, and many people have been able to return home. Some crews are starting to repair roads that were damaged as the flames advanced toward the community of West Dalhousie in August.

Related:

• The largest structure protection operation in Nova Scotia’s history
• More evacuations lifted in Annapolis County as wildfire considered held
• Some homes lost in ‘devastating’ Annapolis County wildfire

Despite the cooler weather and some rain in the last several weeks, firefighters are still dousing hot spots that could spread if not treated properly, an update from the Department of Natural Resources reads.

Officials stressed that the burn ban is still in effect province-wide until Oct. 15 or until conditions improve, including the areas where the woods ban is lifted.

Violation of the woods ban will result in a $25,000 fine.

The ban was announced on Aug. 5, amid the drought conditions across the province. The controversial measure was met with annoyance from some members of the public, drew criticism from officials in other provinces and caught the attention of a freedom non-profit, but the vast majority have been compliant.

Nova Scotia strike team Long leader Mike LeBlanc walks through a stand of fallen trees at Paradise Lake, which is north of Lake, on Monday, September 8. When wildfire burns deep, tree roots are weakened and trees can easily topple. (Province of Nova Scotia)