Sparking awareness
As spring officially begins today and the snow has finally started to melt away, many Atlantic Canadians may be turning their thoughts to yard cleanup. So, there is no better time to remind ourselves of the perils of letting a grass fire get out of hand.
It may seem unlikely that a stray spark would light anything at this soggy, muddy time of year, but that is not the case. In fact, the annual wildfire season has already begun in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, on March 15. It’s April 15 in New Brunswick and May 15 in Newfoundland and Labrador.
DANGEROUS SEASON
With the sun becoming brighter and hotter during longer springtime days and no canopy yet provided by trees, the grass and debris uncovered by melting snow can dry out fast. There is also more kindling for a fire, in the form of last year’s fall leaves and downed trees — not to mention extra deadfall still lingering from Fiona’s hurricane-force winds in September 2022.
“Right now, the soil is pretty saturated, but the fine fuels on the surface will dry out pretty quickly,” Jim Rudderham, with Nova Scotia’s Department of Natural Resources and Renewables told Saltwire, whose department saw 175 wildfires by the end of May in 2023. Those included devastating fires in Tantallon and Shelburne County.
So, it is not too early to warn people against becoming complacent.
RESTRICTIONS IN PLACE
Those planning on burning grass or debris on their properties can only do so after 2 p.m. in Nova Scotia and P.E.I., and only after checking the burning restrictions for that day.
The N.S. government’s map, found at novascotia.ca/burnsafe, is especially clear for anyone planning a brush or campfire. Even when permitted, those who start a fire must follow rules to keep it from getting out of hand such as having water on hand and never leaving the fire unattended.
Under the N.S. Forests Act, “if you light a fire, you are responsible for it. If your fire gets out of control, you may be liable for the cost of fighting the fire and the destruction of others’ property. You may face criminal penalties for violating burning regulations.”
HUMAN ACTIVITY BLAMED
There is no excuse for anyone, regardless of whether or not they live in Nova Scotia or whether they believe their property to be saturated, to not follow those rules. In fact, we would take it one step further and say there is no need for anyone to burn their grass at any time, and other fires should be special occasions that are carefully monitored.
Most wildfires are linked back to accidental human activity.
Ninety “zombie fires” (simmering underground or unobserved for weeks at a time) are burning in British Columbia right now. It’s only a matter of time before fires begin to be reported on this coast.
Sitting around a campfire or a fire pit on a warm spring evening is a wonderful experience. However, it’s not an activity you can enjoy if your neighbourhood has been obliterated by someone’s carelessness.