In this aerial photo, a plane is seen flying close to a wildfire near Barrington Lake in Shelburne County, Nova Scotia, captured on Wednesday, May 31, 2024. (Image by Communications Nova Scotia/The Canadian Press via AP)
In a significant development, the Nova Scotia Natural Resources Department has announced charges against a 22-year-old man, Dalton Clark Stewart of Villagedale, in connection with a massive wildfire that ravaged Shelburne County last spring. Stewart faces charges under the Forests Act, including lighting a fire on privately owned land without permission, failing to prevent the fire's spread, and leaving the fire unattended.
The Barrington Lake wildfire, which ignited on May 26, 2024, and was only fully extinguished on July 26, became the largest recorded wildfire in the province's history, covering a staggering 23,379 hectares. This unprecedented incident forced over 6,000 residents to evacuate their homes, destroying 60 houses and cottages, along with 150 other structures.
Eddie Nickerson, warden for Barrington District 4, expressed relief at the justice system working for those affected by the wildfires. He emphasized the profound impact on the community, labelling it the most extensive wildfire event in Nova Scotia's history.
The charges against Stewart specifically pertain to actions that allegedly contributed to the escalation of the Barrington Lake wildfire. The accused is set to appear in Shelburne provincial court on March 7, facing potential fines of up to $50,000 and six months in prison if convicted.
Orlando Fraser, a conservation officer with the Department of Natural Resources, acknowledged the complexity of wildfire investigations, noting the necessity for thoroughness despite the time elapsed. Fraser clarified that no additional charges are expected to emerge from the Barrington Lake wildfire investigation.
In a related update, the Natural Resources Department is actively investigating another significant wildfire in the Tantallon area in 2023. Spanning 969 hectares and lasting from May 28 to June 4, this incident destroyed 151 homes and the evacuation of 16,000 residents at its peak. Despite the extensive information gathered, a recent statement from the Nova Scotia RCMP suggested insufficient evidence to indicate arson as the cause of the Tantallon-area wildfire. The investigation remains ongoing.
As the legal proceedings unfold and investigations into the wildfires continue, the communities affected by these catastrophic events eagerly await resolution and justice.
