Municipal News

The Province is restricting travel and activities in the woods because continued hot, dry conditions have greatly increased the risk of wildfires.
The restrictions, effective as of 4 p.m. August 5, include:

• hiking, camping, fishing and the use of vehicles in the woods are not permitted
• trail systems through woods are off limits
• camping is allowed only in campgrounds.

These and other measures are in place on provincial Crown and private land until October 15 or until conditions allow them to be lifted. The fine for violating the restrictions is $25,000.

Quick Facts:

• the restrictions were put in place through a proclamation under the Forests Act
• people with questions about the restrictions can call their local Department of Natural Resources office
• a province wide ban on open fires started on July 30 and will remain in place until October 15 or until conditions improve; the fine for violating the ban is $25,000

Please stay out off all wooded trail systems, if it is wooded consider is closed.

Additional Resources:

Woods restrictions proclamation: https://novascotia.ca/natr/forestprotection/wildfire/woods-proclamation_2025-08-05.pdf
News release – Provincewide Burn Ban in Effect: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2025/07/30/provincewide-burn-ban-effect
Department of Natural Resources offices: https://novascotia.ca/natr/staffdir/offices_map.asp
Natural Resources on X: https://x.com/NS_DNR

pdf Download Travel, Activities in Woods restricted to prevent wildfires PDF (304 KB)

Property Valuation Services Corporation Assessors are especially busy this time of year, conducting exterior property inspections across Nova Scotia. They are reviewing building permit progress and gathering up-to-date information as part of the annual assessment process. 
For your safety and peace of mind, Assessors are easy to identify with PVSC-marked vehicles, PVSC-issued ID, and high-visibility vests. 
You don’t need to be home for these visits. The Assessor will leave contact information and next steps if a follow-up is needed.
#NovaScotia #PropertyAssessment

Effective August 5 at 4:00 p.m., due to extremely dry and hazardous conditions, the woods are CLOSED to activities. This includes a prohibition on hiking, camping, fishing, vehicle use, and trail system access within the woods. These restrictions apply to both private and provincial crown land. Industrial permits can be obtained for necessary work activities, though a shift to nighttime operations is strongly encouraged. Brief entry to the woods is okay — for example: short trails providing access from parking areas to locations such as beaches (etc). However, other access and activities within woodland areas are discouraged. Current conditions pose a significant fire risk, which could rapidly compromise Nova Scotia's current safety status. This closure adds an additional layer of protection to the existing burn ban (which includes fireworks). Violations are subject to a $25,000 fine, enforceable by the RCMP and Department of Natural Resources and Renewables (DNRR). While seven fines have been issued to date this year — there is now zero-tolerance.
Camping is permitted in official campgrounds. Private landowners are free to their own properties but cannot host others to use the wooded areas of their properties.
This measure is a proactive preventative effort. Nationally, over 700 fires are currently burning, with Nova Scotia having experienced over 100 small wildfires this year.
These restrictions will remain in place until a sustained period of rainfall occurs. Nova Scotia will assess its fire situation if other provinces require assistance with their wildfires.
For more information visit: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2025/08/05/travel-activities-woods-restricted-prevent-wildfires

The Municipal Office (8296 Highway 7, Sherbrooke NS) will be closed August 4, 2025 in recognition of Natal Day.
Regular business hours (8:30am-4:00pm) will resume August 5, 2025.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.
Thank you.