A very dry July has resulted in August beginning with new and stepped up burn bans and restrictions across the Maritimes.
Open-air burning is restricted in New Brunswick, Halifax Regional Municipality, and other parts of Nova Scotia, meaning no campfires, using outdoor fire places, or burning of any kind.
The HRM imposed its own burn ban on open-air burning Tuesday afternoon, saying it feels a more restrictive level for the city is needed.
Though Halifax is under a burn ban, residents can still use a barbeque, as well as natural gas or propane fire pits.
The ban was prompted by fire officials and natural resources departments concerned about the high risk of forest fires due to the extremely dry conditions.
Specific Nova Scotia counties under the burn ban include Annapolis, Cumberland, Kings, Lunenburg, Queens, Shelburne and Yarmouth.
There are no bans in place on Prince Edward Island with the current forest fire weather rating is listed as "moderate."
The fine for violating a burn ban is $412.
The provincial governments will release anupdated list Wednesday at 2 p.m.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Amanda Debison.
