**** HRM Media Release
Municipal fires and impacts update – May 31, 2 p.m.
The Halifax Regional Municipality is advising residents of the following updates and impacts to municipal services as a result of the ongoing fires.
Only residents and businesses whose properties are located in the area of significant impact on the evacuation map must immediately register with 311 via the online form (or by calling 1.800.835.6428), as staff will follow-up when more information becomes available.
Wooded areas of municipal parks closed effective Wednesday, May 31, 8 a.m.
In addition to the Province of Nova Scotia restricting travel and activities in wooded areas, the municipality is closing all wooded areas of municipal parks and all municipal trails effective 8 a.m. on Wednesday, May 31. Parks such as Shubie Park, Point Pleasant Park and Admiral Cove Park will be fully closed, as they are heavily wooded. However, non-wooded areas of municipal parks, such as greenspaces, playgrounds, sports fields and ball diamonds will remain open for use. Examples of non-wooded parks are the Halifax Common and Sullivan’s Pond.
For parks which have both wooded and non-wooded areas, the wooded areas are closed and the non-wooded areas remain open. An example of this would be Fort Needham Memorial Park where the monument, playground and sports field remain open but the wooded section is closed.
Parking lot closures will be completed as soon as possible; however, with many wooded parks across the region this will take time to complete. Although not all wooded areas within parks will be able to be physically closed off, please abide by the Province of Nova Scotia restrictions in effect for travel and activities in wooded areas.
Burn ban
Since 6 p.m. last night, eight illegal fires have been reported in the municipality.
As crews battle multiple fires, there is a zero-tolerance policy in effect for the duration of the outdoor burning ban. Fines will be issued against those who are burning outdoors, which includes a penalty ranging from $250 and $10,000. Any person responsible for fire spread can also be required to pay all expenses related to controlling or extinguishing the fire, and all related fire damages.
Illegal outdoor burning puts lives, properties, and the environment at risk. It also ties up critical fire department resources.
The Province of Nova Scotia has announced burn, travel, fireworks and activities restrictions. The restrictions are in place until June 25 or until conditions allow them to be lifted.
