**** Via DNR
Repost - Woods Restrictions Lifted in Some Counties, Remain in Others --------------------------------------------------------- The risk of wildfires has lowered enough in some counties for restrictions on travel and activities in the woods to be lifted today, August 29. The burn ban remains in place for the entire province until October 15 or until conditions improve further.
Effective 4 p.m. today, the woods restrictions are lifted in the following counties:
- Cape Breton - Richmond - Victoria
- Inverness
- Guysborough
- Antigonish
- Halifax.
“Our data shows conditions are heading in the right direction in certain parts of the Province, enough for the professionals to recommend lifting the woods restrictions in those areas,” said Premier Tim Houston. “While our crews are still battling the fire in Long Lake, Nova Scotians have taken the precautions needed to keep wildfire activity low in other parts of the Province. The conditions are ready for them to get back to safely enjoying the woods again.”
The remaining counties in Nova Scotia are still under the woods restrictions as conditions continue to be extremely dry and hazardous:
- Pictou - Colchester - Cumberland - Hants - Lunenburg
- Kings - Annapolis
- Queens
- Shelburne - Digby
- Yarmouth.
Restrictions in these 11 counties will remain in place until October 15 – regarded as the end of wildfire season – or until conditions allow them to be lifted. The fine for violating the restrictions is $25,000.
Quick Facts: - decisions on restricting woods access is based on data modelling that measures how much dry, flammable material has built up that could easily start a fire
- the woods restrictions were put in place August 5 through a proclamation under the Forests Act; a provincewide ban on open fires started on July 30 and will remain in place until October 15 or until conditions improve; the fine for violating the ban is $25,000 - people with questions about the restrictions can call their local Department of Natural Resources office
- in counties where the woods restrictions in the woods have been lifted, hunting season will proceed as usual
- in counties where the woods restrictions still apply, goose hunting in non-wooded, open spaces (such as fields) can go ahead as usual starting September 1; if getting to the open space requires a short trip down a trail, that is fine
Additional Resources: August 5 woods restrictions proclamation: https://novascotia.ca/natr/forestprotection/wildfire/woods-proclamation_2025-08-05.pdf
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
Natural Resources on X: https://x.com/NS_DNR
**** Via HRM
Repost - Update on water conservation and support during dry conditions – August 13
The Halifax Regional Municipality is experiencing extremely dry conditions due to a prolonged period without significant rainfall. This has led to lower-than-normal surface water levels and reduced groundwater supplies across the municipality. Many residents with private wells are reporting shortages or completely dry systems. Prolonged drought can also strain municipal water supplies, making conservation efforts critical for all.
Voluntary water conservation
As of August 5, Halifax Water is asking all residents to take immediate voluntary steps to reduce water use. This helps protect our shared supply and may delay the need for mandatory restrictions.
Learn more about conservation tips from Halifax Water’s website.Drinking water available to residents with dry wells
The Halifax Regional Municipality, in partnership with the Province of Nova Scotia, Ground Search & Rescue and Joint Emergency Management volunteer teams, is making emergency drinking water available for free to residents experiencing dry well conditions.
Beginning today through September 10, residents can collect:
Four litres per person per day
Up to one week’s supply per household at a time
Additional water is available for pets, based on their weight.
Water will be available on Wednesdays, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the following locations:
Station 39 – 14 Highway 336, Upper Musquodoboit
Station 48 – 1581 Beaverbank Road, Beaverbank
Station 50 – 2050 Hammonds Plains Road, Hammonds Plains
Station 56 – 8579 St Margarets Bay Road, Black Point
Water is also available at the Sheet Harbour Ground Search & Rescue facility at 44 Behie Road on Wednesdays, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
These services will be assessed on a weekly basis. Any changes will be communicated through public service announcements, website updates and social media.
Showers available to residents with dry wells
Beginning today, residents with dry wells can shower at the following municipal recreation facilities:
Canada Games Centre | 26 Thomas Raddall Drive
6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Prospect Road Community Centre | 2141 Prospect Road
9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Cole Harbour Place | 51 Forest Hills Parkway
Weekdays: 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 4 to 9 p.m.
Weekends: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Residents are asked to check in at the front desk. A membership is not required to access the showers. Please check our website to verify the hours of operation for each facility. Those 17 and under should be accompanied by an adult.
Restrictions to municipal park spaces
Due to the Fire Proclamation – Travel Ban issued by the Province of Nova Scotia, restrictions are in place for wooded areas in municipal parks until October 15 (unless lifted earlier).
Fully wooded parks are closed, while parks with a mix of wooded and non-wooded areas have only the non-wooded areas open. Residents are reminded these restrictions will be enforced, with fines up to $25,000 for violations. For more information, visit our website.
For more information about water support and conservation, visit our website.
**** HRM Media Release
Repost - Residents advised of the lifting of restrictions on access to woods in municipality
The Halifax Regional Municipality is advising residents that effective 4 p.m. today, Friday, Aug. 29, the Province of Nova Scotia has lifted restrictions on access to woods within the Halifax region as part of a partial lifting of the Aug. 5, 2025 Woods Restrictions Proclamation.
The provincial burn ban remains in place for the entire province until Oct. 15 or until otherwise advised by the Province of Nova Scotia. The municipality is asking residents to continue to exercise caution in wooded areas and to report any signs of fire to 911.
The municipality is in the process of removing barricades and signage at impacted municipal parks, trails and greenspaces, which is expected to take several days.
More information on the lifting of the provincial notice of restricting travel and activities in the woods is available in the Province of Nova Scotia’s news release.
- ****Halifax Water Release Repost - Voluntary Water Conservation Measures Requested for Halifax Regional Municipality Due to the recent prolonged period of low precipitation, water levels within our supply areas have not been replenished. With no significant precipitation forecasted in the coming weeks, these levels will continue to lower. To conserve water, Halifax Water is requesting that all customers and those who live or work within a building serviced by Halifax Water, follow voluntary water conservation measures until further notice. By reducing our water usage, we can help ease the demand on our lakes/source water and reduce or delay the need for mandatory water conservation measures. To confirm if you are impacted, please visit Where Does My Water Come From? These measures include: · If it’s yellow, let it mellow. Depending on the efficiency of your toilet, each flush uses between 6 to 26 litres of water. · Shorten your showers. Cut back on the frequency and length of showers. · Turn off the tap when not in use. Turn the tap off when brushing your teeth, shaving, washing your face etc. · Wash only full loads of laundry and dishes. Limit activities that use excess water, such as: · Watering lawns. · Washing vehicles. · Filling pools. Visit halifaxwater.ca/reducing-your-water-wastewater-use for a full list of ways to conserve water. To learn more and find further resources and a weekly water level update visit Voluntary Water Conservation in Effect for HRM | Halifax Water For more information on Halifax Water, please check www.halifaxwater.ca, visit us on YouTube, or Twitter @HalifaxWater, Facebook, or call our Customer Care Centre at 902-420-9287. - **** NS Gov Release Repost - Fireworks Banned Provincewide ------------------------------
