As of last Thursday, Department of Natural Resources reported 199 fires that had been called in through the Shubenacadie fire centre province-wide.
“About 10 of them have graduated from the grass fire state into the forest fire stage where it got into the woods and started to damage trees,” said DNR forest technician Paul Schnurr.
The season has come early due to snow melting earlier than usual, he added, but he emphasized there are no benefits to burning fields.
“Burning the grass promotes weeds,” said Schnurr. “A lot of people feel that it brings about the grass sooner and the thing is, it actually damages any grass that’s there.”
Even if the ground is wet or snow is still present a field can ignite regardless if it is getting any sort of wind or warmer temperature, he warned.
“Another thing that surprises people, if there hasn’t been enough snow to knock down grass and it’s standing, it will dry out quicker and catch the wind more and create a bigger hazard,” he said.
If planning to burn he provided a few tips to follow.
“If you have stuff to get rid of, you can compost it is better. It is illegal to burn grass and leaves in Nova Scotia, you are suppose to compost those types of things,” said Schnurr.
Also, he recommended burning on days when rain is in the forecast, and when there is little or no wind and low temperatures.
“Make sure the fire is attended and completely out by the time you leave,” he said.
