The Municipality of the County of Antigonish, Nova Scotia, officially entered its annual wildfire risk season on March 15, 2026. This period runs until October 15, 2026, to help prevent fires during the dry spring months when dead grass and leaves can catch fire easily.
According to the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources and Renewables, burning domestic brush and having campfires is not permitted between 8:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. daily. Residents are required to check the BurnSafe map after 2:00 p.m. every day to see if burning is allowed in their area for the evening.
Local officials are also reminding residents that while the BurnSafe map covers domestic burning, they must obtain necessary permits for specific types of burning not covered by the map, such as industrial projects or land clearing. Residents are also encouraged to exercise extreme caution around overhead power lines when doing yard work to avoid accidentally starting a fire.
Minister Tory Rushton noted that the provincial government has permanently set the fine for breaking these burning rules at $25,000. This fine was put in place to help keep communities safe and ensure everyone follows the daily safety restrictions.
