Public Service Announcement

Barbeque Pits at Point Pleasant Off-Limits Due to Dry Conditions

(Wednesday, August 21/2002)-- HRM Parks and Open Spaces has closed fire pits in Point Pleasant Park, effective immediately.

Higher temperatures and a lack of moisture in recent weeks has resulted in the forest fire index in the region remaining high. This dry weather trend is expected to continue throughout the weekend.

Currently, there is a provincial ban on open fires in Nova Scotia. That ban does allow for open fires in approved fire pits within campgrounds, which are monitored by staff. Fire pits at Point Pleasant are closed because the Park is not monitored 24-hours per day. They will be re-opened for public use when cooler, wetter weather returns.

The fire pits at Shubie Municipal Campground in Dartmouth are monitored and will remain open for use by overnight campers.

All municipal parks remain open.

HRM urges the public to exercise caution when using machinery, cigarettes and other sources of ignition in, or near, our woodlands and parks.

--30--

Peter Bigelow
Manager, Parks and Open Spaces
(902) 490-6047

John O'Brien
Corporate Communications Officer
(902) 490-6531