Burn Ban Protects Forests And Firefighters

Nova Scotians are being warned the risk of wildfire is at dangerous levels.

The province has had days of near-record temperatures and low humidity causing a complete burn ban to be issued for the entire province.

Kara McCurdy, the Fire Prevention Officer for Nova Scotia’s Department of Lands and Forestry says so far this year, the province has seen 95 wildfires burning 628 hectares.

That’s 10 more fires and 500 hectares more than this time last year, numbers which McCurdy finds frustrating.

“And with the fire causes being 100 percent human caused, we just feel like folks aren’t heeding our warnings.”

She says the department doesn’t want to see a repeat of the May 22 weekend where 28 fires burned 495 hectares.

“Conditions this weekend will be the exact same with high temperatures, low humidity and gusty winds which are going to bring the fire risk into extreme.”

McCurdy says the burn ban means no campfires, open pit fires, brush clearing or backyard chimineas.

“Anything that you can put wood in to burn is banned during this condition.”

McCurdy says the only exception to the burn ban is campfires in authorized enclosed pits in provincial campgrounds.

“They’re a little more supervised and they’re constantly maintained. The areas are cleared around them because they maintain the campground sites. And they’re always cleaning out the fire pits once the camper leaves for the day.” So there’s not that extra amount of ash sitting in that campfire pit.”

McCurdy cautions people trekking into the woods to be careful when disposing of lit cigarettes.

She also encourages ATV riders to be aware of stopping near tall grass or brush, which can also be lit by their exhausts.

McCurdy says the wild fires don’t just take a toll on the forests but on local volunteer fire departments.

She says they are the backbone of the wildfire program, often bringing 10 to 30 firefighters and their trucks out of their communities to attend the fires.

“You know if a structure fire or something else comes in, a motor vehicle accident, they’re stretched thin, they’re not going to respond as quick, so people really need to think about that stuff.”

McCurdy says in many cases, forest fires can last days tying up resources and people.

“And a lot of these guys and gals work full time. So, being a volunteer, they may not be at work and they may not be getting their wages as they normally would.”

McCurdy says to lift the ban the province will need to see a few days of sustained gentle rain to soak into the ground.

She says a heavy rainfall just runs off and doesn’t do anything to dampen the ground.

McCurdy is reminding people to check the Nova Scotia Burn Safe website everyday at 2:00pm for the latest conditions.

To report illegal burning call 1-800-565-2224 and for wildfires call 9-1-1.

Reported by Ed Halverson 
E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson