Restrictions on travel and activities in the woods are lifted in all remaining counties except Annapolis as of 4 p.m., September 18.
The change applies to Cumberland, Hants, Lunenburg, Kings, Queens, Shelburne, Digby and Yarmouth counties. Restrictions were lifted in the other nine counties previously.
The restrictions will remain in place in Annapolis County until October 15 – regarded as the end of wildfire season – or until conditions allow them to be lifted.
“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. “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 burn ban remains in place for the entire province until October 15 or until conditions improve further.
The fine for violating the woods restrictions or burn ban is $25,000.
Additional Resources:
Woods restrictions proclamation updated September 18: https://novascotia.ca/natr/forestprotection/wildfire/woods-proclamation_2025-09-18.pdf
News release – Woods Restrictions to be Lifted in Pictou, Colchester Counties: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2025/09/11/woods-restrictions-be-lifted-pictou-colchester-counties
News release – Woods Restrictions Lifted in Some Counties, Remain in Others: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2025/08/29/woods-restrictions-lifted-some-counties-remain-others
News release – Travel, Activities in Woods Restricted to Prevent Wildfires: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2025/08/05/travel-activities-woods-restricted-prevent-wildfires
News release – Provincewide Burn Ban in Effect: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2025/07/30/provincewide-burn-ban-effect
Department of Natural Resources offices: https://novascotia.ca/natr/staffdir/offices_map.asp
