Article content A forest fire burns near Middle Musquodoboit in 2022. – Tim KrochakArticle contentWhat about camping?Article contentCamping is allowed in actual campgrounds only, if they choose to stay open. That does not mean you can camp in the woods.Article contentWhere do the restrictions apply?Article contentThe restrictions apply to provincial Crown and private land. Private landowners are free to use their own properties but cannot host others to use wooded areas of their properties.Article contentForestry, mining and any commercial activity on provincial Crown lands are also restricted. People who conduct this kind of activity can apply for a permit at their local Department of Natural Resources office to work during the travel ban. Harvesters operating on Crown lands must apply for a travel permit to operate in the woods while the restrictions are in effect. They must comply with the conditions of the permit, including working overnight/early morning rather than during the day.Article contentArticle content A Port Williams firefighter waits for water to reach his nozzle while fighting a grass fire in April 2021. – Ian FaircloughArticle contentMy primary home is on a wooded lot. How am I affected?Article contentAs a private landowner, you can use your own property. However you are strongly encouraged to stay out of the woods for all the reasons listed. You cannot let others use the wooded areas of your property.Article contentI have a Crown land lease. Can I go to there?Article contentNo. You cannot go to your Crown land lease until restrictions are lifted.Article contentCan I hike through woods on my own property?Article contentYou can, but it’s strongly discouraged. You cannot do so with anyone who is a visitor or guest.Article content Backdropped by massive flames, Halifax regional firefighters and Natural Resources crews battle a large forest fire in Chaplin, near Upper Musquodoboit, on May 13, 2022. Photo by Tim Krochak /The Chronicle HeraldArticle contentArticle contentCan I go boating if the boat launch isn’t in the woods?Article contentYou can go boating as long as you are not going through the woods to reach the boat launch.Article contentI see some rain in the forecast. Will the ban be lifted as soon as it rains?Article contentNo. A couple of hours of rain will not mitigate the risk because of how dry it is and how dry the soil is below the surface. It will take several days of steady rain to reduce the risk.Article contentArticle contentAny rain also needs to be steady and moderate. Heavy rains for an hour just run across the surface and don’t soak into the ground.Article contentIsn’t this a violation of my constitutional rights?Article contentNo. The government can restrict travel to protect lives and properties. Wildfires are a significant risk to both. They spread quickly in these kinds of conditions, as was evidenced during the wildfires of 2023. A similar ban was in place then, and also in 2016 when wildfires burned hundreds of acres in Queens County. In both cases travel bans were imposed after the fires broke out. Imposing the travel ban now is a proactive move to prevent fires from starting.Article contentWhy not hire more firefighters so we don’t need to close the woods?Article contentThis doesn’t work. If more people in the woods means more chances of fires, that would mean hiring thousands of firefighters to deal with all the fires that could possibly break out during what might only be a short ban, if rain comes.Article content Firefighters put out hot spots following a brush fire on Old Pictou Road in Manganese Mines near Truro on May 6. Photo by Ryan Taplin /The Chronicle HeraldArticle contentDoesn’t the ban last until Oct. 15?Article contentThat’s the current date imposed, as it matches the end of fire season. Should there be significant rain before then, the ban will likely be lifted at that point.Article contentWhat happens if I don’t abide by the ban?Article contentThe fine for violating the travel ban is set at $25,000. However, if you violate the ban and your actions cause a fire to break out, you could be liable for firefighting costs.Article content.Article content
Nova Scotia’s woods travel ban: What does it really mean?
