2023 Nova Scotia wildfires
# 2023 Nova Scotia wildfires

Wildfires are ongoing in the province of Nova Scotia, Canada as part of the 2023 Canadian wildfires. As of June 2, 2023, Nova Scotia wildfires have burned approximately 24,128 hectares (59,622 acres). Evacuation orders and local states of emergency have been put in place, resulting in the evacuation of over 18,000 people.

## Significant fires

### Barrington Lake wildfire

A major wildfire started around May 27, 2023, near Barrington Lake in Shelburne County. The fire has burned around 23,015 hectares (56,871 acres) and between 30 and 40 structures have been destroyed. The response to the fire included widespread evacuation orders of the surrounding area, displacing around 5000 people. This wildfire is the largest recorded in the history of Nova Scotia.

Efforts to stop the fire includes the use of American water bombers and additional firefighters from the U.S. and Costa Rica.

### Tantallon wildfire

A second major wildfire in the Tantallon area was first reported at 3:30 pm on May 28, 2023. It spread rapidly through the Westwood Hills subdivision throughout the evening. The fire burned through 950 hectares (2,300 acres) as of June 2. Halifax mayor Mike Savage described the response to the fire as "unprecedented" in the area. a Approximately 16,400 people were placed under mandatory evacuation orders in the surrounding areas. Preliminary reports stated that approximately 151 houses were destroyed and 50 other structures were damaged or destroyed. As of June 3 the fire was declared "largely contained" with help from the Canadian military and a heavy rainstorm.

### Pubnico wildfire

A third wildfire started on May 29, 2023, in Yarmouth County east of the community of Pubnico. This fire has burned around 163 hectares (403 acres); however, no damage has been reported to structures from this fire as of yet.

### Bedford wildfire

On May 30, 2023, another wildfire was reported near the Farmers Dairy plant in Bedford, near Stonington Park. This prompted further evacuation of Thistle Grove, Kingswood North, Stonington Park, and the Atlantic Acres Industrial Park. Hammonds Plains Road was closed between Highway 103 and Highway 102. This fire was quickly extinguished and the evacuation orders lasted under 72 hours.

## Effects and response

In response to the fires, the Halifax Regional Municipality opened several comfort centres for evacuees. The province of Nova Scotia provided free camping at several locations for people displaced by the Shelburne wildfire. To prevent further fires, all open fires were banned province-wide on May 29, 2023. On May 30, 2023, hiking, camping, fishing, and the use of vehicles in the woods were banned in all forests in the province until June 25, 2023, or until conditions allow them to be lifted. The Halifax Regional Municipality also closed all heavily wooded city parks on May 31, 2023. All schools in Shelburne County and several schools in Halifax Regional Municipality were closed in response to the fires.

The provincial government issued an initial emergency payment of $500 to all evacuated households in the immediate aftermath of the fires. Additionally, the Canadian government established a donation matching program with the Nova Scotian government and the Canadian Red Cross to support those affected by the fires.

The RCMP also strongly enforced the open burning fire ban in the province, including issuing multiple tickets related to bans on burning and travelling in woods. This includes an increase in the maximum fine from $237.50 to over $25,000 including court fees.

