Woods ban lifted everywhere but Annapolis County, N.S.

Nova Scotia has lifted the woods restrictions everywhere except Annapolis County.

Nova Scotia has lifted the woods ban for all parts of the province except for Annapolis County, which is still grappling with the Long Lake wildfire.

The provincial government introduced the ban on travel and activities in all wooded areas on Aug. 5 due to concerns with dry, hot conditions across Nova Scotia.

The fine for violating the ban is $25,000.

The province lifted the ban for Cape Breton, Richmond, Victoria, Inverness, Guysborough, Antigonish and Halifax counties on Aug. 29, citing a lower risk for wildfires in those areas.

The ban was also lifted for Pictou and Colchester counties on Sept. 11.

As of Thursday, the ban has now been lifted for the following counties:

• Cumberland
• Hants
• Lunenburg
• Kings
• Queens
• Shelburne
• Digby
• Yarmouth

“We’ve looked at improving conditions and also at the impact these necessary restrictions have had on businesses, which we’ve tried to minimize all along,” said Natural Resources Minister Tory Rushton in a news release. “We’re at a point where, for both reasons, it’s time to lift these restrictions everywhere except Annapolis County, where crews are continuing to fight the Long Lake wildfire.”

The woods ban will remain in effect for Annapolis County until Oct. 15 or until conditions improve to allow it to be removed. Hunting in non-wooded, open spaces such as fields can go ahead as usual in the region.

A provincewide burn ban remains in effect and it also carries a $25,000 fine.

For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page