For the first time in recent memory, Nova Scotia has closed hiking trails, backcountry routes, and all forest access across the province and one Canadian Air Force veteran just found out exactly how serious the government is about enforcing it.
Jeff Evely, a retired Master Warrant Officer with 20 years of service, shared a now viral video showing himself deliberately stepping into the woods in Coxheath, Nova Scotia, despite a province wide “Stay Out of the Woods” order. Moments later, conservation officers handed him a ticket for $28,872 CAD, the maximum fine under the new rules.
Watch the video here:
Nova Scotia just handed me a fine for $28,872.50 for walking into the woods. pic.twitter.com/sARyEzHAzR
— Jeff Evely (@JeffEvely) August 9, 2025
The sweeping ban took effect on August 5 and will remain in place until at least October 15 or until significant rain reduces the extreme wildfire risk. It applies to both provincial Crown land and national parks, shutting down popular destinations like Kejimkujik National Park, the Cape Chignecto Coastal Trail, and the famous Skyline Trail in Cape Breton Highlands National Park.
Nova Scotia is in the middle of severe drought conditions with weeks of hot, dry weather leaving forests tinder dry. Officials say over 100 wildfires have already sparked this season, all small so far, but under current conditions that could change in a heartbeat.
“Conditions continue to be extremely dry. Until we get a significant amount of rain, we’re at an elevated risk of wildfires,” said Premier Tim Houston. “Most wildfires are caused by human activity, so to reduce the risk, we’re keeping people out of the woods until conditions improve.”
The restrictions are far reaching, banning hiking, backcountry camping, ATV use, forestry work, mining, and other commercial activities on public wilderness lands. Even private landowners are prohibited from letting guests access wooded areas. A total fire ban is also in effect, covering campfires, solid fuel stoves, and open flames across the province.
In his video, Evely stands beside Mountain Road in Coxheath, pointing behind him. “This is the woods,” he says, before showing the nearby Department of Natural Resources office, home to the officers enforcing the ban. Evely then tells the officers he intends to step into the forest “without making trouble” for them, does so, and promptly returns to receive his $28,872 fine.
While Evely’s stunt has earned him praise from some who see it as a protest against government overreach, others say the rules exist for a reason. The closure has already impacted tourism, with outdoor guides, lodging operators, and adventure companies reporting cancellations during peak travel season.
The situation is a stark reminder that wildfire risk is no longer just a problem for the western US and Canada. Climate change is reshaping outdoor recreation even in traditionally wetter, forested regions like Atlantic Canada.
As Nova Scotia’s Minister of Natural Resources Tory Rushton put it, “We all have a role to play in keeping our communities safe.” In this case, breaking the rules could cost you nearly $30,000 even if your hike lasts less than a minute.
While a $28,872 fine for simply stepping into the woods would be unprecedented in Oregon, the legal framework exists for similarly harsh enforcement if officials wanted to make an example during peak fire danger. The Oregon Department of Forestry, U.S. Forest Service, and Bureau of Land Management all have authority to close public lands when wildfire risk is extreme, and violating those closures can result in citations, exclusion orders, and fines that can climb into the thousands.
In rare but serious cases, if someone’s actions spark a wildfire, they can be held financially responsible for suppression costs that reach into the millions, as seen after the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire. While most closure violations in Oregon currently result in smaller penalties, the potential for larger fines is already on the books — meaning a Nova Scotia–style ticket isn’t out of the realm of possibility if conditions and policies align.
