Nova Scotia’s wildfire season was the least active on record

Nova Scotia’s devastating 2023 wildfire season was followed by the province’s quietest on record.

In 2024, there were 83 fires destroying 47.5 hectares of forest during the wildfire season, which runs from mid-March to mid-October.

In the last decade, the average is 185 fires and 3,277 hectares destroyed per year, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Renewable Energy.

In 2023, a record 220 fires raged across the province, causing the destruction of more than 25,000 hectares of forest and at least 350 homes.

The fire of the lake Barringtonin the county of Shelburnehad been the most destructive in the history of the province. Another fire in the Halifax Regional Municipality led to the evacuation of more than 16,000 residents.

According to Scott Tingleyforest protection manager at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Renewable Energy, the weather conditions were more favorable this year.

Although there were periods of dry weather last summer, which is particularly dangerous for wildfires, there were also wet weather and less strong winds, which reduces the risk of spreading wildfires. flames.

A lesson learned the hard way

Scott Tingley greet her awareness of the public, more responsible, in his opinion, after seeing the devastation of 2023.

He also takes his hat off to the firefighters, for their rapid intervention when fires start.

Darrell Lockea volunteer firefighter Shelburne which fought the great fire of 2023, points out that this season there have been more reports of illegal burning or non-compliance with fire bans.

He is visibly happy that the firefighters’ message has been heard. We’ve been banging our heads against the walls for years. Finally, people pay attentionhe illustrates.

People here have become fearful. We receive calls at the slightest sign of smokenote Darrell Locke. In many cases this was a good thing, because the fire was still small and we were able to bring it under control quickly.

More than $600,000 in fines for lighting fires

In May, the Nova Scotia government increased the fine to $25,000 for failing to comply with daily fire lighting restrictions. Previously, the base fine was $237.

Restrictions are in place at various times from March 15 to October 15, when fire danger is highest.

The Ministry of Natural Resources distributed 19 fines of $25,000 in 2024, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (GRC) gave two.

Including a compensatory surcharge and the HSTan offender who receives this penalty pays a total of $28,872.50.

In total, $606,322 was paid by offenders this year.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Natural Resources confirms that this money goes directly into the province’s coffers.

Artificial intelligence against offenders

In the Halifax Regional Municipality, an artificial intelligence-controlled wildfire detection system was tested in the communities of Middle Sackville, Musquodoboit Harbour et Hammonds Plains.

These cameras operate 24 hours a day.

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John Lowesection chief with the Halifax Regional Fire Department, says they have occasionally detected smoke during restricted periods this year, which alerted the firefighters.

He doesn’t believe the reporting would have been as quick without these cameras.

They did a very good job. People were very shocked to learn that they had not been reported [par quelqu’un]but by a camerasaid John Lowe.

According to the report ofAly Thomson, CBC