Ticket Sales for Live Reptile Show Open June 1st
Provincial Wild Fire Support
The Province will provide $500 to every household required to evacuate because of recent fires in Halifax Regional Municipality and Shelburne County. The funding will be administered through the Canadian Red Cross. Further details on eligibility and how residents can register will be available Tuesday, May 30.
Volunteer firefighters will also receive support. The province will now pay the mileage for volunteer firefighters who need to travel to another community to fight fires, including wildfires. Volunteer fire departments can submit their invoices to the provincial Emergency Management Office (EMO).
Restricted Activities
The Provincial Government has restricted travel and activities in the woods.
Hiking, camping, fishing and the use of vehicles in the woods are not permitted. People can still access beaches and provincial parks, but trail systems are off-limits. Camping is allowed only in campgrounds.
The restrictions apply to Crown and private land. Private landowners are free to use their own properties but cannot host others to use wooded areas of their properties.
Forestry, mining and any commercial activity on Crown land, are also restricted. People who conduct commercial activity on Crown land can apply for a permit at their local Department of Natural Resources and Renewables office.
Forestry companies working on Crown land can only work between 8 p.m. and 10 a.m. All companies and private landowners are encouraged to take this approach.
The restrictions are in place until June 25 or until conditions allow them to be lifted.
Cape Chignecto, McNabs Island and Cape Split provincial parks are closed because they are backcountry camping/hiking parks. Wildfires in province are covering more than 12,360 hectares
There have been 195 wildfires to date this year; they have burned about 12,817 hectares. In 2022, there were 152 wildfires that burned about 3,390 hectares.
Environment Canada- Special Air Quality Statement:
Wildfire smoke is reducing local air quality. Smoke from a forest fire near Upper Tantallon has reduced visibility and air quality in the area downwind of the fire. Southwest winds have allowed smoke to spread eastward to communities east of Halifax Metro. Visibility conditions may vary locally as wind and fire behaviours change.
Wildfire smoke can be harmful to everyone’s health even at low concentrations. Everyone can take action to reduce their exposure to wildfire smoke.
People with lung disease (such as asthma) or heart disease, older adults, children, pregnant people, and people who work outdoors are at higher risk of experiencing health effects caused by wildfire smoke. Speak with your health care provider about developing a management plan for wildfire smoke events and maintaining a supply of necessary medications at home and always carrying these medications with you during wildfire season.
Stop or reduce your activity level if breathing becomes uncomfortable or you or someone in your care feel unwell. Contact your health care provider or local health authority if you develop severe symptoms or need advice.
Access Awareness Week
This week is Access Awareness Week!
Did you know that Nova Scotia was the third province to have accessibility legislation & has the highest rate of disability in Canada? The Municipality is proud to have recently approved the Municipal Accessibility Plan to help advance accessibility. You can find the plan at https://saint-marys.ca/municipal-documents/2140-an-accessible-st-mary-s-an-accessibility-plan-for-2022-2030-approved/file.html
Provincial Fire Ban
There is a provincewide ban on open fires because of dry conditions. The ban also applies to fires in provincial parks and private campgrounds and is in effect until further notice.
A reminder that consumer fireworks are not permitted when open fires are not permitted.