N.S. increases fine for violating burn orders to $25,000

A year after wildfires swept through parts of Nova Scotia, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake, the province is increasing the fine for violating daily burn restrictions for the duration of the season. 

In a news release Thursday, the province said those found to be breaching the law will be fined $25,000, which will come to $28,872.50 after a victim surcharge fee and HST.

Until Oct. 15, burning of any kind is prohibited across the province between 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., and potentially longer, depending on the status of the BurnSafe map.

This year, the province said the burn restrictions will also apply to campgrounds.

"Almost all wildfires in Nova Scotia are human caused. With the weather starting to get warmer and dryer, I cannot stress enough the importance of prevention," Premier Tim Houston said in the release. 

"That's why we are doubling down on the fine for people who violate the daily burn restrictions ... let's not have another season like last year's."

The fine for violating burning restrictions was temporarily increased to $25,000 last season during a provincewide ban triggered by the large wildfires in the Tantallon area and in Shelburne County.

The basic fine for breaking a burn ban was previously $237.50, something the province said it may consider reinstating if conditions change to "dramatically reduce the risk of wildfires."