Published Jun 12, 2025 • 2 minute readA Department of Natural Resources and Renewables helicopter releases water over part of the Barrington Lake wildfire that burned in Shelburne County in 2023. FRANKIE CROWELL PHOTO Photo by Tina Comeau /FRANKIE CROWELLOct. 16 is the new date set for the sentencing hearing of a man who has pled guilty to one charge under the Nova Scotia Forests Act in relation to the 2023 Barrington Lake wildfire.A guilty plea was entered on Dalton Clark Stewart’s behalf by defence counsel Phil Star on Nov. 27, 2024, to a charge under the Forests Act of failing to take reasonable effort to prevent fire from spreading or leaving fire unattended.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 contentA full day for the sentencing hearing had been scheduled during the June 12 session of Barrington Provincial Court, but it was postponed. A pre-sentence hearing is also set for Sept. 11.“We’re still working to finalize an agreed statement of facts. When we come back on Sept. 11, we may be able to shorten the length of the sentencing hearing,” Star told the court.Star said two disclosure requests has been made by the Defence to the Crown. One has been complied with.“I think it’s fair to state the Crown believes it has exhausted and complied with fully its disclosure obligations. Whether or not we are of the same view, we’re not certain yet,” he said.Star said a contested disclosure application is not anticipated.Senior Crown Attorney Brian Cox told the court that was an accurate summarization of the parties’ positions with respect to disclosure. “The crown is anxious to have the matter resolved,” Cox said.Article contentStewart was charged by the provincial Department of Natural Resources and Renewables with three offences under the Forests Act on Jan. 17, 2024, following an investigation into the Barrington Lake wildfire. Stewart is also charged with lighting a fire on privately owned land without permission of the owner or occupier and with leaving a fire unattended.People convicted of violations of the Forests Act can be fined up to $50,000 and or face up to six months in jail.Called the largest wildfire in Nova Scotia history, the Barrington Lake wildfire began on May 26, 2023, and burned 23,379 hectares. It was declared under control on June 13 and fully extinguished on July 26.Wildfires damaged or destroyed more than 100 homes and buildings in Shelburne County in 2023. Broken down, in the Municipality of Shelburne, 20 primary homes and six secondary homes were destroyed and another 56 were damaged. In the Municipality of Barrington, there were 34 destroyed properties, of which 18 were primary residences.Article content
Barrington Lake wildfire sentencing hearing pushed back to Oct. 16
