Fire is a serious threat to our woodland. The risk of fire damage can be reduced by good planning, including:

• maintaining a healthy woodlot through removing dead and diseased trees, which are good fuel for fire
• limiting access to your woodland when fire hazard conditions are high
• conducting harvest operations, which use machinery that can cause sparks and leave fuel in the form of slash, during cooler times of year
• cutting and distributing slash and debris as close to the ground as possible so it will decompose quickly
• providing good access to all parts of your woodlot and locating roads close to any available water sources
• removing debris from along the sides of roads 
• building fire ponds
• constructing fire breaks in areas of identified fire hazards
• buying fire insurance if available and feasible
• complying with  provincial Forest Fire Protection Legislation 
   

Safe Working Practices
Safe working practices can prevent and minimize fire damage and include:

• ensuring the minimum fire fighting equipment required by law of 227 ml (1 cup) of ABC fire extinguishing powder is immediately available to workers at the refueling site during the fire season
• providing additional fire fighting materials at the work site such as barrels of water with buckets or back-pack pumps
• not refueling saws when running and moving at least 3 m (10 feet) away from refueling area before starting
• ensuring there are spark arrestors and good mufflers on all machinery
• transporting gasoline and other flammable material in approved containers
• consulting the Forest Fire Protection Legislation 
• consulting the The Forest Professional

Resources

Forest Protection – Wildfire Management Group
- NS Department of Natural Resources
Special Bulletins; Fire Weather Index; Burning Permits; Legislation
    902-758-2232

Forest Fire Protection Legislation  
- Online
NS Department of Natural Resources

The Forest Professional
- Online
Occupational Health & Safety Division
NS Department of Environment & Labour
    1-800-952-2687

Contractors & Operators
Best Management Practices Manual
Nova Forest Alliance
    902-639-2921

Protecting your Woodlot from Fire
- NS Forest Practices Folder 
FREE
NS Department of Natural Resources Library
    902-424-8633

NSDNR Woodlot Management Home Study Program
- Online or Mail 
Module  - Getting More From Your Woodlot
Module 10A – Managing Woodlot Finances
Planning & Investment Guide