Nova Scotia’s provincewide fire ban is leaving campgrounds across the region grappling with reduced revenue and altered guest experiences at the height of the summer season.
The restriction, implemented amid ongoing dry conditions, has halted the sale and use of firewood—a staple for many campgrounds and a tradition for visitors.
At Woodhaven RV Park in Hammonds Plains, the ban has significantly cut into seasonal earnings.
“Firewood we purchase every year and cut and split is available for purchase as well, we are losing on that revenue as well,” Emily Siepierski, who works at the campground, said, as reported by CTV News on August 7.
Despite the loss of firewood sales, occupancy remains high, prompting operators to adapt services.
Siepierski said Woodhaven has invested in alternatives to meet guest expectations. “We do have propane firepits available for rent and purchase,” she said. “We had purchased a while ago 10 fire pits and we have put an order. So we have a few left.”
Other operators are facing more direct consequences. At LaHave River Campground, owner Jamie Lee Arseneau said some guests are cancelling reservations after learning that traditional campfires are off-limits.
“Having to have hard conversations when people who connect campfires with camping now can’t do that, many of whom are upset and would cancel their reservation based on that,” she said. “So we have been seeing an influx of cancellations.”
The cancellations reflect the strong link between campfires and the camping experience for many travelers. Arseneau noted that while staff explain the circumstances, not all guests are willing to make the adjustment.
The impact extends beyond commercial campgrounds. In a statement, Tracy Durke-Jones, CEO of the Boys and Girls Greater Halifax Club, said the fire ban “has had real impact on summer programs like ours, which often rely on natural spaces for outdoor learning and recreation.”
With rainfall scarce, operators are facing additional operational challenges. At Woodhaven, water conservation measures have led to service cuts. “We’re on a well here in Hammonds Plains,” said Siepierski. “In order to conserve the essential resource that water is, we’ve closed our laundromat.”
The fire ban, which applies to all campgrounds and recreational areas in Nova Scotia, was enacted to reduce the risk of wildfires during a period of heightened fire danger.