Burning and travel bans lifted across Nova Scotia

Restrictions at Kejimkujik National Park also have been lifted

By Rachel Ward, CBC News Posted: Aug 17, 2016 2:49 PM AT Last Updated: Aug 17, 2016 2:49 PM AT

 

Rain has brought an end to burning and travel bans across Nova Scotia.

Wednesday, the provincial government lifted all bans to starting campfires, burning brush and travelling in the woods.

Multiple forest fires and dry conditions have kept officials busy since the start of August. The bans were intended to prevent further fires from starting. Still, about 50 people were caught violating the bans.

"Now that we've gotten a little help from Mother Nature, we can put all of our efforts into finding any more areas that might be of possible concern," provincial natural resources forest technician Dave Steeves said.

This means parks, including Kejimkujik National Park, are fully open. Highway 8, which runs near Keji, is open after being closed more than a week.

 

'We never say never'

 

Also Wednesday, heavy rain fell across much of the province, with an expected 50 millimetres in some areas by the end of the day.

Near Keji, some weather stations have reported up to 47 mm of rain, Steeves said.

"Since the wee hours of the morning, we've have consistent, steady rain here, and that's exactly what we needed," he said.

"We never say never when it comes to wild land fire, but where we're sitting right now, we're very pleased."