Looking at DNRās info is kind of infuriating. There is zero justification for a provincewide woods ban (or even a provincewide fire ban) based on that. Can you imagine if you were a tourist who paid money to come visit Nova Scotia?
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My heart goes out to those impacted by the wildfires and if keeping my low risk activity out of the woods prevents more fires, Iām happy to stay out for now. Regarding the woods ban, my basic take is that unfortunately (using the term very loosely) not enough peoples lifestyles and livelihoods are affected for the powers that be to put in the efforts to apply and enforce a more nuanced regional opening/restriction plan. Sadly, most of the people I interact with on a day to day basis seem to barely register there even is a woods ban. Who cares that you canāt go into shubie park or the BLT trails, as long as Dartmouth crossing is still open, Amazon trucks are still delivering and you can flick your cigarette butts out your car window without a care in the world? Who cares that Cavicchiās and the Bike&Bean are struggling as long as I can get meatballs at Ikea and idle at a Starbucks drivethru?
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Well, sure. Me too. The thing is, if I rode my bike in the woods every day for the rest of my life, I know there is essentially a zero percent chance of me ever causing a fire. That includes times when the fire risk is extreme, unlike the low or moderate risks in most of the province at the moment. So me (and presumably you) staying out of the woods isnāt preventing fires.
Iām fully on board with banning activities that can actually cause fires in locations where there is an extreme fire risk, but whatās currently being done is simply lazy and unfair.
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Agreed, and my statement was perhaps a bit tongue in cheek. Iāve heard of the pedal-strike causing fires phenomenon(and would love to see some sort of mythbusters-style demonstration of how easy/hard it is to re-create), but I would imagine an atv/dirtbike/smoker would be exponentially higher risk.
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These bans are draconian, tore a page right out of the Covid book. There is no reason non motorized activities canāt continue responsibly.
And screw myth busters, lol. derailleur strike causing a fire. Bahahahahahahahaha what planet are you on?
You must be in Houstonās pocket with a comment like that.
Sorry not sorry. Everyone else is thinking it too.
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I was using it as an example of random things that could cause a fire in the right conditions. I have seen sparks thrown, and I wouldnāt want to be the cause. I agree this is Draconian and an overreach.
āIn Houstonās pocketā, though? You must be new.
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Lolz
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This just in from Timmy Houston.
The risk of wildfires has lowered enough in some counties for restrictions on travel and activities in the woods to be lifted today, August 29. The burn ban remains in place for the entire province until October 15 or until conditions improve further.
Effective 4 p.m. today, the woods restrictions are lifted in the following counties:
- Cape Breton
- Richmond
- Victoria
- Inverness
- Guysborough
- Antigonish
- Halifax.
āOur data shows conditions are heading in the right direction in certain parts of the Province, enough for the professionals to recommend lifting the woods restrictions in those areas,ā said Premier Tim Houston. āWhile our crews are still battling the fire in Long Lake, Nova Scotians have taken the precautions needed to keep wildfire activity low in other parts of the Province. The conditions are ready for them to get back to safely enjoying the woods again.ā
The remaining counties in Nova Scotia are still under the woods restrictions as conditions continue to be extremely dry and hazardous:
- Pictou
- Colchester
- Cumberland
- Hants
- Lunenburg
- Kings
- Annapolis
- Queens
- Shelburne
- Digby
- Yarmouth.
Restrictions in these 11 counties will remain in place until October 15 ā regarded as the end of wildfire season ā or until conditions allow them to be lifted. The fine for violating the restrictions is $25,000.
For more information, read the release Woods Restrictions Lifted in Some Counties, Remain in Others | Government of Nova Scotia News Releases
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Yeah, I called him from his pocket.
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Cancel the wambulance
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All forests open except Annapolis County. Going for a ride at Nine Mile tonight!
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