Burn Ban, Woods Restrictions Lifted in Annapolis County; Daily Burn Restrictions Continue
To reduce the risk of wildfires, burning is restricted across the province to certain times of day and depends on local conditions. (Province of Nova Scotia / File)
With conditions improving, the ban on open fires and restrictions on travel and activity in the woods are lifted in Annapolis County effective 2 p.m. today, October 15.
Daily burn restrictions remain in place provincewide until the extended wildfire season ends on October 31. The fine for violations is $25,000.
“Although it’s still very dry across the province, we’re getting some rain and cooler temperatures that are reducing wildfire risk,” said Tory Rushton, Minister of Natural Resources. “That allows us to lift the outright bans and give residents of Annapolis County a break. I ask all Nova Scotians to stay vigilant and continue following the daily restrictions to help protect our people and our communities.”
The daily burn restrictions apply to open fires such as campfires, bonfires, brush fires, fires in chimeneas and any other fire that is not enclosed and uses wood as the fuel. Unlike gas or charcoal fires, sparks could escape from an open wood fire and cause a wildfire.
The restrictions do not apply to non-wood-burning devices such as charcoal and gas barbeques and gas stoves, which can be used following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Quick Facts:
- the Province’s BurnSafe map lets people know where and when burning is permitted
- the map is red from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. because burning is never permitted during those hours; the daily restrictions will be posted at 2 p.m. to show what is and is not allowed for the rest of the day
- wildfire season, which typically ends October 15, was extended provincewide this fall to October 31 because of continued fire activity in Nova Scotia
Additional Resources:
Information on fire restrictions and the BurnSafe map: https://novascotia.ca/burnsafe/
Forests Act: https://nslegislature.ca/sites/default/files/legc/statutes/forests.pdf
News release – Wildfire Season Extended Provincewide: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2025/10/01/wildfire-season-extended-provincewide
News release – Provincewide Burn Ban Lifted Except in Annapolis County: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2025/09/26/provincewide-burn-ban-lifted-except-annapolis-county
News release – Provincewide Burn Ban in Effect: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2025/07/30/provincewide-burn-ban-effect
News release – Woods Restrictions Lifted Except in Annapolis County: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2025/09/18/woods-restrictions-lifted-except-annapolis-county