Archived News

Tips to Help Prevent Wild Fires

The Municipality of the District of St. Mary’s wishes to share some tips to keep all residents safe during this wildfire season.

In Nova Scotia, almost all wildfires are human-caused, so prevention is our first line of defence.

Things you need to know to help prevent wild fires:

1. Please check the Burn Safe Map for daily information and restrictions before any outdoor burning: https://novascotia.ca/burnsafe/
2. Daily burn restrictions are in place from March 15th to October 15th to help prevent wildfires. Under these restrictions, burning is not permitted between 8:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Each day at 2:00 p.m., the Burn Safe map is updated to show the daily restrictions. People can also call 1-855-564-2876 (BURN) for this information.
3. The Province recently announced that the fine for violating the daily burn restrictions has been increased to $25,000 for this wildfire season. The fine amounts are set in the Summary Offence Ticket Regulations. The $25,000 fine also includes HST and a victim surcharge, bringing the total to $28,872.50. Conservation officers, police and other law enforcement officers can issue the fine on the spot in the form of a summary offence ticket.
4. Always have a way to extinguish your fire, whether that be a burn blanket, fire extinguisher, or hose and bucket.

Additional Fire Safety Tips:

• Prepare an Emergency Kit: Assemble a kit with essential items such as water, non-perishable food, medications, important documents, clothing, and a first aid kit. Keep it easily accessible.
• Protect Your Home from fire: Keep the area surrounding and touching your home clear of debris and unkept vegetation or other flammable materials.
• Do NOT throw cigarette butts or anything with an ember or spark outdoors, eg a cigarette butt thrown from a moving vehicle creates a serious risk of causing a fire.

By following these prevention and safety tips, you can significantly reduce the risk of fires.

Additional information on Fire Safety:

• Fire restrictions - Government of Nova Scotia, Canada - Burn Safe Map
• fire-proclamation_2024-05-15.pdf (novascotia.ca) – Fire Proclamation
• https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2024/05/16/large-increase-fine-illegal-burning-during-wildfire-season - Fine/Charges Information
• Nova Scotia Government | Facebook – NS Gov Facebook Page

NOTICE

MEETING:               St Mary’s Municipal Council

                                  Committee of the Whole

DATE:                       Wednesday, June 19^th, 2024

TIME:                       4:00 pm

PLACE:                     St. Mary’s Municipality

                                  Council Chambers, Sherbrooke, NS

3. Call to Order
4. Roll Call 
5. Additions to the Agenda
6. Approval of the Agenda
7. Approval of Minutes: COTW held May 29^th, 2024.
8. Business Arising from Minutes
9. Staff Recognition: 10 Year Service Award: Melaine Mills, Reception
10. Correspondence: Storybrooke Day Home Invitation to Council – Carla Archibald
11. Other Matters of Business
    Public Works Reports:

1.) Water Plant Electrical Work

2.) Hospital Road LIFT Station Repair

3.) RecPlex Revitalization Project Siding and Window Award

4.) RecPlex and Library Accessibility Project Tender Award. (Update)

5.) Verbal Update: Port Bickerton Lighthouse Road Maintenance Work

1. Recreation Report: Canada Day Festivities: Verbal Update
2. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). Verbal Update on Timeline and Next Steps
3. Housing: Next Steps for the Neighborhood Concept Plan
4. Policy: Flag Raising Policy Parameters
5. Business Support: Verbal: Council Discussion on Community Business Needs
6. Low Carbon Communities Fund: Project Opportunity
7. Memorandum of Agreement between the Municipality and the Sherbrooke Village
8. August Council and COTW Date Review. Verbal Review 

Adjournment

The Community Development & Recreation Department phone line is not currently working. If you need assistance call the administration office at 902-522-2049.