In response to ongoing wildfires in Nova Scotia, provincial government has banned the public from entering the woods 鈥 and BC Wildfire won鈥檛 rule out the possibility of backcountry restrictions in 乌鸦传媒
As of Aug. 5, 鈥渉iking, camping, fishing and the use of vehicles in the woods are not permitted; trail systems through woods are off limits; camping is allowed only in campgrounds,鈥 according to a press release from Nova Scotia乌鸦传媒 Premier乌鸦传媒 Office.
The rule applies to Crown and private land until Oct. 15, or until conditions allow them to be lifted.
Anyone caught in the woods is subject to a $25,000 fine.
鈥淐onditions continue to be extremely dry. Until we get a significant amount of rain, we鈥檙e at an elevated risk of wildfires,鈥 Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston said in the media release.
鈥淢ost wildfires are caused by human activity, so to reduce the risk, we鈥檙e keeping people out of the woods until conditions improve. I鈥檓 asking everyone to do the right thing 鈥 don鈥檛 light that campfire, stay out of the woods and protect our people and communities.鈥
Separately, a $25,000 fine also applies to anyone caught having an open fire.
鈥淲e鈥檝e had about 100 wildfires this season. They鈥檝e all been small and put out quickly, but that could change in a heartbeat in these dry conditions,鈥 Minister of Natural Resources Tory Rushton said in the press release.
鈥淚 ask everyone to co-operate, stay out of the woods and be sensible in applying these rules to help keep our people and our communities safe.鈥
Dan Albas, MP for Okanagan Lake West鈥擲outh 乌鸦传媒, pointed out how the Drought Hill wildfire that started two weeks ago in Peachland, probably wouldn鈥檛 have been prevented if similar rules existed here in 乌鸦传媒
鈥淛ust a comment. One of our most recent local wildfires was not caused by someone taking a walk in the woods. It was caused by a vehicle fire that spread very quickly,鈥 Albas posted to X Monday. 鈥淔or those who live in interface areas engaging in fire-smart practices is critically important.鈥
BC Wildfire, asked if a ban on hiking could ever happen in 乌鸦传媒, fire information assistant Lena Knox said such decisions to restrict the backcountry are not made lightly.
鈥淚f conditions reach an unacceptable risk level, a backcountry restriction will be considered,鈥 Knox said in an email. 鈥淏ackcountry closures are also very challenging to enforce and draw on resources that may be better directed toward active fire suppression efforts.鈥
鈥淟ocal seasonal tourism and businesses rely on access to the backcountry, and risks to the public are constantly being evaluated. Backcountry closures and wildfire conditions are constantly monitored by BC Parks and the BC Wildfire Service, including weather forecasts, fire danger ratings, fuel moisture conditions, modelling, observed and forecasted fire behaviour and regional and provincial fire activity,鈥 said Knox.
On the BC Wildfire website, the province乌鸦传媒 only wildfire of note (Wesley Ridge near Port Alberni) is now classified as being held.