CBC News - N.S. tourists, operators pivoting amid drought-driven ban on forest activities
“Whether or not they have other activities to do, they’re going to start cancelling trips and not coming to the island.... People are going to shift based on the limitations of not being able to hike.”
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This recent article from CBC News highlights how drought conditions in Nova Scotia have prompted restrictions on forest activities during the peak of tourist season. Moderate-to-severe drought across the province led to a ban on open fires and activities in the woods — including hiking, camping outside designated campgrounds, fishing, and ATV use — in an effort to reduce wildfire risk.
The sudden restrictions have had an immediate impact on visitors and operators alike. Adventure companies such as Live Life in Tents on Cape Breton’s Cabot Trail were forced to cancel multi-day guided hikes, leaving guests disappointed and scrambling to adjust their plans. Tourists who had travelled to the province for iconic experiences like the Skyline Trail are instead turning to beaches, golf courses, and scenic drives, while some operators are pivoting to river-based activities like tubing and kayaking.
For local tourism businesses, the uncertainty is particularly challenging. While many understand the rationale behind the ban, operators argue that clearer communication from government would help them prepare and adapt. The restrictions are currently set to remain in place until October 15 or until conditions improve, with fines of $25,000 for violations.
This is not the first time such measures have been implemented in Nova Scotia — bans were also enacted in 2023, 2016, and 2001 during periods of high wildfire risk. The recurrence underscores how increasingly variable climate and extended drought conditions are shaping both public safety and the tourism economy.
As drought and wildfire risks continue to rise across Canada, initiatives like the Canada1Water (C1W) project are critical. By providing national-scale hydrological and climate data, C1W helps policymakers, communities, and industries anticipate changing water conditions, manage risk, and plan for resilience. For provinces like Nova Scotia, access to timely data and forecasts can support both emergency planning and economic stability in the face of climate-driven disruptions.