PEIOutdoor burning is restricted across Prince Edward Island as of Wednesday, as hot and dry weather continues to raise wildfire risks throughout Atlantic Canada.’We’re not seeing a lot of precipitation coming into the… foreseeable future’Ryan McKellop · CBC News · Posted: Aug 06, 2025 7:38 PM EDT | Last Updated: 4 hours agoPrince Edward Island is under a restriction on outdoor burning as of Wednesday. (Martha Dillman/CBC)Outdoor burning is currently restricted across Prince Edward Island as of Wednesday, as hot and dry weather continues to raise wildfire risks throughout Atlantic Canada.There is an exemption for fires being used for cooking or heat, but the P.E.I. government is asking anyone who lights one of those to be mindful of their surroundings and make sure the fire is completely out before they leave.Open-fire bans are currently in place in other Atlantic provinces due to the elevated fire risk.Nova Scotia has also restricted hiking, camping, fishing and all-terrain vehicle use in wooded areas. Meanwhile, New Brunswick is sending water bombers to help fight ongoing wildfires in Newfoundland and Labrador. According to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre, the national preparedness level is currently at a five on a five-point scale as of Wednesday. That means the potential for new, significant wildland fires is “high to extreme,” and the demand on firefighting agencies and their resources is high. Mike Montigny, manager of field services with P.E.I.’s forests, fish and wildlife division, said the Island is experiencing similar dry conditions as its neighbouring provinces.”When we’re looking at our forecast, we’re not seeing a lot of precipitation coming into the… foreseeable future,” he said. “We’re aware of that and that’s why we’re looking at the data every single day.”Mike Montigny, manager of field services with P.E.I.’s forests, fish and wildlife division, says the Island’s wildland firefighters are ready in case they’re needed in this province. (Zoom)Montigny said provincial officials are actively monitoring data to ensure they’re making the right decisions for P.E.I., just as Nova Scotia has done with its trail-use restrictions based on its own conditions.”I completely understand why Nova Scotia has gone that way, and if and when those conditions are right for us here, absolutely that will be the recommendation that’s made,” he said.The current restrictions on Nova Scotia’s provincial Crown land are in effect until Oct. 15, or until weather conditions allow them to be lifted. Violations could result in a $25,000 fine.Many national parks in Nova Scotia have also been closed, which has impacted the province’s forestry and mining sectors.Montigny said many of P.E.I.’s wildland firefighters have had recent practice through deployments to the Yukon, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.”We have staff on standby during the entire fire season,” he said. “We’ve been able to keep their skills sharp, so whenever we need them, they’re ready to go.”ClarificationsAn earlier version of this story said the province had banned outdoor burning. This story has been updated to clarify that burning is restricted but fires used for cooking or heat are exempt.Aug 07, 2025 9:32 AM EDTABOUT THE AUTHORRyan McKellop is a graduate of the Holland College Journalism program and a web writer at CBC P.E.I.With files from Alex MacIsaac
P.E.I. latest province to restrict outdoor burning amid dry conditions
