With wildfires breaking out in western Canada, Nova Scotia has increased the fine for violating the daily burn restrictions to $25,000.
From March 15 to Oct. 15, daily burn restrictions are in place across the province to help prevent wildfires. Burning is not permitted anywhere between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. because that is when the wildfire risk is greatest. The daily burn restrictions also now apply to campgrounds.
Premier Tim Houston told reporters on Thursday that the increased fine is to help prevent the wildfires from happening in the first place. The basic fine for violating burn restrictions is $237.50. The larger fine is in place until the end of wildfire season.
Last spring, wildfires in southwestern Nova Scotia and in the Halifax area consumed more than 25,000 hectares and destroyed 200 homes.
