The provincial government has lifted the travel ban in some parts of the province because of improved conditions. Photo by Aidan Rawding /Truro NewsArticle contentThe provincial government has lifted the ban on woods travel in some parts of Nova Scotia because of improving conditions, but most of the mainland is still closed because of extreme fire risk.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentPremier Tim Houston and Jim Rudderham, the director of fleet and forest protection for the Department of Natural Resources, announced the change Friday afternoon at the daily briefing on the state of the Long Lake fire in Annapolis County.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentAll counties in Cape Breton, along with Antigonish, Guysborough and Halifax counties, are open to hiking, fishing and other activities as of 4 p.m. Friday.Article contentThe ban on open fires is still in place everywhere, however.Article content“The folks at Natural Resources are constantly monitoring conditions and monitoring the risk,” Houston said. “Based on the rain that was received in some parts of the province and based on their assessment of other indicators that they go through, the professionals have determined that the (fire weather) index is no longer extreme and no longer expected to reach extreme numbers anytime in the near future (in those counties).”Article contentThere was significant rainfall last Monday in those areas of the province — reaching 25 mm or more — but much less or none in other counties.Article contentHouston said the risk is still extreme in the rest of the province, and that’s why the travel ban remains in place elsewhere.Article contentArticle content“I hope this offers a bit of bright news for some Nova Scotians as they head into the long weekend,” he said.Article contentRudderham said there is no one happier than him and his crews on the ground around the province to see the conditions turn around.Article contentHe said the decision was made after analyzing data from weather stations around the province to determine whether conditions are safe enough for people to get back into the woods.Article content“Please remember that the burn ban remains in place across the province,” he said. “Just yesterday a fine was issued for violation of the ban. . . . Conditions are still too dangerous everywhere for open fires.”Article contentWhen the travel ban was imposed Aug. 5, the fire weather index was far beyond what is considered the extreme level throughout the province. Extreme starts at 23, but in some counties it was over 40.Article content“Now that we’re almost into September; given the amount of rain and the time that is left (before winter) there probably isn’t enough time for them to get back to extreme (in those counties),” Rudderham said.Article contentHe said shorter days and cooler nights with dew in the morning reduce the chance of fuels like grass and dead leaves and needles igniting.Article content
Woods travel ban lifted in some Nova Scotia counties, but risk is still too high on most of mainland
