Woods ban lifted in Queens County, most other areas of Nova Scotia

Parks like Pine Grove Park in Milton will reopen after the Nova Scotia government lifted its woods ban in most counties on Thursday. (Tourism Nova Scotia)

The ban on travel in the woods has been lifted for most counties in Nova Scotia except for Annapolis County.

The Nova Scotia government allowed travel and activities in the woods to resume as of 4 p.m. on Thursday, according to a news release from the Department of Natural Resources. That includes hunting.

The change applies to Queens, Cumberland, Hants, Lunenburg, Kings, Shelburne, Digby and Yarmouth counties. Restrictions were previously lifted in the other nine counties.

Restrictions will remain for Annapolis County until Oct. 15, the end of wildfire season.

“We’ve looked at improving conditions and also at the impact these necessary restrictions have had on businesses, which we’ve tried to minimize all along,” said Natural Resources Minister Tory Rushton. “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.”

The ban on open fires remains for the entire province until Oct. 15 or until conditions improve.

The fine for violating the burn ban is $25,000.

The woods ban was introduced on Aug. 5, while the burn ban began July 30.