A $25,000 fine has been imposed on the individual charged following an inquiry into the largest wildfire in Nova Scotia’s history. Dalton Stewart, 23, refrained from speaking during the sentencing at Barrington provincial court on Thursday.
The penalty, a recommendation jointly proposed by the Crown and defense, also mandates completing educational training focused on preventing wildfires.
Stewart had previously entered a guilty plea to a charge under the Forest Act, while two other charges were either dismissed or withdrawn.
An agreed-upon statement of facts submitted to the court during the hearing detailed the incident. It revealed that Stewart confessed to igniting a tire on private property near Barrington Lake while intoxicated with friends late at night on May 25, 2023.
After attempting to extinguish the fire by stomping on it before departing the area, Stewart acknowledged his significant intoxication and failure to take adequate measures to prevent the fire from spreading or to ensure it was fully put out.
The Barrington Lake wildfire scorched over 23,000 hectares, destroying approximately 60 structures and displacing thousands of residents from their homes.
Senior Crown attorney Brian Cox acknowledged the devastation caused by the fire but commended Stewart’s cooperation with authorities as a mitigating factor.
“Mr. Stewart has accepted responsibility for igniting the fire that sparked the Barrington Lake wildfire,” Cox remarked.
He highlighted that while no sentence could reverse the damage or distress, the $25,000 fine was substantial. Cox emphasized that the fine, being half of the maximum permissible penalty at the time, was a meaningful deterrent and a considerable sum for any Nova Scotian.
Cox informed the court that the expenses incurred in extinguishing the blaze amounted to approximately $8 million.
Although considering restitution, Cox indicated that due to the accused’s limited financial circumstances, it was not deemed in the public interest, nor was a potential jail term. He emphasized that the sentence aimed at ensuring accountability.
‘Drunken tire fire’
Judge Paul Scovil expressed that no punishment could adequately address the harm caused, describing it as inconceivable for someone to start a fire in dry conditions in the woods, especially what he termed a “drunken tire fire.”
Melissa Nickerson, who lost her home in Thomasville, N.S., to the wildfire, tearfully delivered a victim impact statement in court. She recounted the hardships her family faced, including financial losses and PTSD, necessitating a fresh start.
“I am filled with anger and sorrow due to the loss of my home and cherished memories,” she lamented.
The municipal wardens of Barrington and Shelburne issued a joint statement post-hearing. Shaun Hatfield and Penny Smith emphasized that the sentence news would evoke painful memories for those affected by the wildfires. They reiterated their focus on “recovery, healing, and enhancing future resilience.”
Chief Darrell Locke of the Shelburne volunteer fire department expressed disappointment with the verdict. He stressed that numerous individuals lost everything they owned, underscoring the need for a more severe penalty to reflect the overall impact.
“Since 2023, we have observed that the $25,000 fine has not deterred certain individuals. Perhaps a period of incarceration would serve as a stronger deterrent. It would send a message that ‘If I engage in this behavior, I might