Nova Scotia firefighting budget up in smoke after recent wildfires

The government of Nova Scotia’s firefighting budget has been gone up in smoke this season, as the worst wildfires in years are taking their toll on the province’s resources.

Before the recent fires started burning, including the stubborn Seven Mile Lake blaze, the province’s firefighting budget — $686,000 for the year — had already gone through $520,000.

READ MORE: Seven Mile Lake wildfire burning near Kejimkujik Park fully contained

Government spokesperson Andrew Preeper said in an email that the approximate cost of fighting the recent wildfires was between $150,000 and $200,000 a day.

The Seven Mile Lake fire, which burned out-of-control until Monday, Aug. 14, broke out on Aug. 4.

That fire, along with several others, continues to burn. All forest fires are now fully contained.

“If it ends up significantly over, which we expect it will, the department would seek funds from central government sources or an additional appropriation.”

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Water bombers and firefighting crews from New Brunswick, Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador were brought in to assist in the firefight.

Despite welcome rain over the weekend, travel restrictions are still in place throughout mainland Nova Scotia to prevent the spark of any more fires.