Nova Scotia bans burning due to extremely dry conditions

A map of Nova Scotia shows the whole province in a red, no burning zone

NS Burn Ban Map from novascotia/burnsafe website

It appears a burn ban in place across Nova Scotia will remain in effect for the near future.

According to a spokesperson from the Department of Natural Resources and Renewables, drought-like conditions over the past two weeks have left the forest floor extremely dry.

Wildfire Prevention Officer Kara McCurdy says due to a combination of high temperatures and wind and low humidity the smallest spark could set off a forest fire.

“Don’t have any fires period, whether it be campfire or brush burning. Being careful where you place anything hot. Like, if you’re welding, don’t weld in dry vegetation. If you’re running an all-terrain vehicle that you make sure to clear the exhaust off frequently because stuff accumulates around that and can get hot and drop,” said McCurdy. “Even camping, if you’re walking in the woods don’t discard any cigarettes, don’t play with matches or lighters.”

Environment Canada has issued an extreme heat warning for Nova Scotia and is forecasting temperatures into the high 20s until next week.

There is a chance of showers over that time, however, McCurdy says they likely won’t be enough to lower the fire hazard.

“But it’s not enough to really impact wetting the fuels down in the forest,” We’ll probably leave the ban in place until we get significant rain, which is a continued amount of rain of 20mm plus.

McCurdy says a few days of steady rain is key to preventing forest fires.

“A lot of the rain that comes from thunder cells will just quickly run off,” said McCurdy. “The ground is so hard now from being dry for so long that it’s just going to drain off really quick.”

McCurdy says there have been seven new forest fires of varying sizes across Nova Scotia over the past week.

Several of those are the result of campfires being left unattended or from people clearing their properties by burning the brush.

Crews are working to get a 1-hectare fire in Cumberland County under control.

She says people need to pay attention to the burn ban to safeguard the forests, their property, fire crews and themselves against fire.

Burn restrictions are updated on the novascotia.ca/burnsafe web page everyday at 2:00pm.

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Queens fire departments distributing smoke detectors in wake of fatal fire

a smoke detector

Photo Ed Halverson

Fire departments in Queens are putting smoke detectors into the hands of schoolchildren.

New Germany fire department started the initiative of handing out smoke detectors to students following a fire in Auburndale in February that claimed the lives of three children and a woman.

They challenged other departments to do the same and so far, Greenfield and North Queens have accepted.

North Queens Fire Department Chief Chris Wolfe says they’ve purchased a supply of smoke detectors locally.

“We’ll be giving out 300 first go, and then probably in a few months we’ll be doing another 300 possibly, but expanding out to grandparents and things like that, to put in their homes,” said Wolfe.

He says the smoke detector giveaway is in addition to efforts they routinely make to educate children.

“I find in Queens County and around that fire prevention is quite outstanding there,” said Wolfe. “Most of the departments take a lot of pride in teaching the kids and going to schools during fire prevention week and making sure that they are aware of fire safety.”

Wolfe says the smoke detectors will be handed out at North Queens Community school sometime in the next couple of weeks.

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Experts offer fall fire prevention tips

A thermostat

Photo Ed Halverson

Fire prevention experts say people should take a few simple steps before turning on the heat this fall.

As temperatures drop homeowners are powering up their electric baseboard, cranking their oil furnaces and lighting their fires.

Captain John Long with the Liverpool Fire Department says a few precautions can keep people safe as well as warm this season.

“It’s the time of year to change the batteries in your smoke detectors,” said Long. “We’re getting to the wood burning season so make sure everybody’s cleaning their chimneys before they start that.”

Long says anyone who isn’t comfortable with heights or doesn’t have the proper equipment should look for help before attempting to clean their own chimney.

“You can do it yourself if you have the gear but it’s, I’d say better, it’s safer to have somebody else do it, especially somebody that’s trained. They’re going to do a good job and you’re going to be happier for it. I’m not saying don’t do it yourself but if you don’t have the equipment to properly do it, let somebody do it for you,” said Long.

Many people also like to tidy their yards by raking and burning their leaves.

Long says to better reduce the chance of those fires getting out of control people should take advantage of the municipality’s yard waste pick up days.

“Bag it up and put it out to the end of the road or if you’ve got a trailer, haul it to Western Head to the Region’s yard waste site. It’s free. It doesn’t cost you anything other than your time. It’s a much better option,” said Long.

Regardless how your home is heated, Long says having someone who knows what they’re doing come and check out your heating system can give you peace of mind in the cold months ahead.

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Twitter: @edwardhalverson

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