Fire risk elevated across province
The warm, sunny weather that has people rejoicing in many parts of the province is causing concern for those who fight forest fires.
The map of the provincial forest fire index is a sea of yellow and blue, indicating moderate to high risk. But Cape Breton's Margaree Valley stands out, red and menacing, with its extreme forest fire risk.
Jim Rudderham is supervisor of wildlife management at the provincial Natural Resources Department. He says the department is thinking about imposing restrictions on the area.
"We're not to that point yet, but certainly it's in our forefront of our thoughts and we've looked into it," he said. "We have certain parameters that we have to meet to get to that point. The first step would be a ban on open fires. And we're close to that point, but we're not there yet."
Rudderham says with rain in the forecast for the weekend, the situation may ease. But asks that anyone travelling in the outdoors over the next few days exercise caution with anything involving fire, including cigarettes.
