25 people charged with violating nova scotia's woods and fire bans
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jeffrey evely shows the fine he received for walking in the woods after the nova scotia government banned any travel or activities in the woods due to extremely dry conditions.
the nova scotia government’s commitment to crack down on people who ignore proclamations to stay out of the woods is not an empty promise.
a spokesperson for the natural resources department says there have been 15 charges laid for violations of the provincewide ban on open fires that started on july 30 and 10 charges for violating the woods restrictions that were implemented on aug. 5.
violations can result in conservation officers or police issuing summary offence tickets under the forests act.
“to date, the people charged have not yet paid the fine but they have two months to voluntarily do that,” adele poirier, communications director with natural resources, said in an emailed response that reflected information gathered from the department along with the provincial municipal affairs and justice departments.
those charged are required either to plead guilty and pay the amount payable within two months or to notify the court of an intention to appear in provincial court and plead not guilty and have a trial.
a person charged can also plead guilty and make a penalty submission in court.
the restrictions
the restrictions that came into effect aug. 5 do not permit hiking, camping, fishing and the use of vehicles in the woods. the trail systems through the woods are off limits and camping is allowed only in campgrounds.
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the measures are in place on provincial crown and private land until oct. 15 or until the exceedingly dry conditions change enough to allow them to be lifted.
“until we get a significant amount of rain, we’re at an elevated risk of wildfires,” premier tim houston said in making the restrictive proclamations three weeks ago.
“most wildfires are caused by human activity, so to reduce the risk, we’re keeping people out of the woods until conditions improve. i’m asking everyone to do the right thing – don’t light that campfire, stay out of the woods and protect our people and communities.”
the open fires ban will also remain in place until oct. 15 or until conditions improve.
afghan war veteran jeffrey evely is pictured in the woods with his dog axl.
jeffrey evely
forestry, mining and any commercial activity on provincial crown lands have also been restricted but people who conduct that kind of activity can apply for a permit at their local natural resources office.
while the restrictions are in place, beaches and parks are still accessible but not the trail systems.
private landowners are free to use their own properties but cannot host others to use wooded areas of their properties.
new brunswick follows suit
on monday, the new brunswick government announced that after a two-week closure due to the high risk of wildfires in that province, crown land would reopen to the public as of 12:01 a.m. tuesday.
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new brunswick premier susan holt announced that restrictions remain on timber harvesting, which will only be allowed from 6 p.m. to noon and will be reassessed on a daily basis.
the new brunswick government reaffirmed that a provincewide ban on campfires and burning of any kind is still in place.
“we’re asking all new brunswickers to continue to be safe and to take care, to be thoughtful about your atvs, not to smoke in the woods,” holt told reporters.
no such lifting of restrictions has been announced in nova scotia, where six active wildfires were burning tuesday.
intentional court challenge
only the long lake fire in annapolis county, estimated at 8,026 hectares, or about 80 square kilometres, is considered out of control.
the premier said monday that homes had been destroyed or damaged in that fire, which doubled in size over the weekend, and the evacuation order now affects more than 1,000 people.
“wildfire risk has never been higher in nova scotia,” poirier said. “these (woods) restrictions will remain in place until there is enough rain to improve conditions and lower the risk.”
fireworks are also banned under the authorities granted within the fire safety act and are enforced by fire officials. the office of the fire marshal has not issued any fines to date and is not aware of any fines being issued by other entities, poirier said.
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while the nova scotia government has signaled that the woods ban is a very serious measure not to be taken lightly, many residents have voiced their displeasure about the restrictions. at least one nova scotian welcomed a fine of $28,872.50, including tax and a victim’s surcharge, a short time after the aug. 5 woods restrictions were implemented.
jeffrey evely thanked natural resources officers for giving him the fine and shook the hands of the officers who he’d asked to watch him walk briefly into the forest beside their office on mountain road in coxheath, cape breton on aug. 8
evely, a veteran of the war in afghanistan, intends to argue in court that the province’s proclamation that bans people from going into the woods is a violation of nova scotians’ charter rights.
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