News release

Burn Restrictions Begin March 15

Natural Resources and Renewables

Provincial burn restrictions will be in effect from March 15 to October 15.

“Burn restrictions help protect our properties, families, communities, forests, and wildlife,” said Natural Resources and Renewables Minister Tory Rushton. “Burning is only allowed when there is the lowest possible risk of wildfires. I encourage everyone to check the BurnSafe map online before you burn. Please be responsible and safe.”

The restrictions cover outdoor fires, including those in backyard burn pits, brush burning and campfires that are not in private, municipal, provincial or federal campgrounds with proper campfire facilities.

During wildfire season, burning is not permitted anywhere in the province between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Each day at 2 p.m., the provincial BurnSafe map is updated to show where and when burning is permitted:

  • if a county is shown in green, burning is permitted after 2 p.m.
  • if a county is shown in yellow, burning is permitted after 7 p.m.
  • if a county is shown in red, burning is not permitted that day.

Daily burn restrictions are also available by recorded message on the toll-free phone line 1-855-564-2876 (BURN).

In an emergency, Nova Scotians can report wildfires by calling 1-800-565-2224 or 911.

Quick Facts:

  • residents should check municipal bylaws first before burning; rules may vary, and local bylaws take precedence over provincial restrictions
  • weather, temperature and humidity data are collected daily from more than 30 stations across the province to calculate fire risk and determine burn restrictions
  • industrial burning, which includes clearing agricultural land, clearing blueberry fields larger than two hectares, or burning brush piles larger than two by three metres requires a permit from the Department of Natural Resources and Renewables
  • there were 152 wildfires in Nova Scotia last year, damaging 3,389 hectares of Crown and privately owned lands
  • fighting wildfires puts provincial and volunteer firefighters at risk and takes millions of dollars in resources

Additional Resources:

BurnSafe map: https://novascotia.ca/burnsafe

Nova Scotia wildfire statistics: https://novascotia.ca/natr/forestprotection/stats.asp

Frequently asked questions about burning: https://novascotia.ca/natr/forestprotection/wildfire/burnsafe/Q-As.asp

Natural Resources and Renewables on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NS_DNRR

Follow Us