Wildfire risk in Nova Scotia raised as warmer, sunny weather approaches

The warm, dry weather on the way this weekend has the Department of Natural Resources asking Nova Scotians to curb their fire bug ways.

"This time of year the fire possibilities keep me awake," Natural Resources Minister Lloyd Hines told Information Morning.

"We're obligated by duty to put every resource we have to it when it comes and worry about the money afterwards but eventually that's going to come home to roost."

Hines wants Nova Scotians to help keep the incidents of fires down this year, a difficult taskconsidering how oftenpeople in theprovincesetfires.

Wildfires burned across N.S. last week

Last week there were dozens of wildfires in Yarmouth, Shelburne, Lunenburg and Queens counties. There were 20 wildfires in Cape Bretonalone.

The largest fire covered70 hectares, but most were fivehectares or lessaccording to DNR.

Most of those fires were caused by people deliberately setting grass fires, which then got out of control.

"They spread quickly, they get a little bit a gust of wind they'll jump incredibly and can cause a major forest fire which can get into real injury for communities," said Hines.

'It risks their lives'

He said it's a myth that grass fires help the soil or somehow createhealthier grass. He said all the firesdo is endanger the firefighters who have to put them out.

"It risks their lives, that's the thing that people have to realize there and it burns through a huge pile of dollars," said Hines. "Putting helicopters in the air, they don't come cheap. It's wasteful, really."

Hines said the woods are dry after some wind and sunny weather and with more sunshine on the way people should be extra careful about setting fires.

CBC Meteorologist Jim Abraham is predicting sunny skies for Friday, Saturday and Sunday with highs around 12 degrees.