The individual charged in connection with the largest wildfire in Nova Scotia’s history has been fined $25,000. Dalton Stewart, aged 23, opted to remain silent during the sentencing at Barrington provincial court. The imposed penalty, a collective recommendation from the prosecution and defense, includes a mandate for him to undergo educational training on wildfire prevention.
Stewart had previously pleaded guilty to one offense under the Forest Act, with two other charges being either dismissed or withdrawn. An official statement of facts submitted to the court on Thursday outlined the sequence of events. It revealed that Stewart acknowledged setting a tire on fire on private property near Barrington Lake while socializing with friends late at night on May 25, 2023. Despite trying to extinguish the fire before departing, Stewart, who admitted being heavily intoxicated, acknowledged his failure to take adequate measures to prevent the fire from spreading or ensure complete extinguishment.
The Barrington Lake wildfire ravaged over 23,000 hectares, causing destruction to approximately 60 structures and displacing thousands of residents. Senior Crown attorney Brian Cox acknowledged the devastating impact of the fire but commended Stewart’s cooperation with the authorities as a mitigating factor. He emphasized that while no sentence could fully reverse the consequences, the $25,000 fine, deemed substantial, serves as a meaningful deterrent. Cox mentioned that the costs to suppress the fire amounted to around $8 million.
Despite the consideration of restitution, it was deemed not in the public interest due to the accused’s limited financial circumstances. Additionally, a jail term was not pursued. The focus of the sentence, as outlined, centers on accountability. Judge Paul Scovil expressed the inadequacy of any sentence to address the harm caused, particularly condemning what he described as a reckless act of starting a fire under extremely dry conditions, labeling it a “drunken tire fire.”
During the court session, Melissa Nickerson, who tragically lost her home in Thomasville, N.S., to the wildfire, emotionally shared a victim impact statement. She detailed the emotional and financial toll her family endured, emphasizing the loss of cherished memories. The municipal wardens of Barrington and Shelburne issued a joint statement post-hearing, noting that the news of the sentence may evoke painful recollections for those impacted by the wildfires. Their primary focus remains on the recovery, healing, and enhancing resilience for the future.
Chief Darrell Locke of the Shelburne volunteer fire department attended the hearing and expressed disappointment with the outcome, advocating for a more severe penalty to reflect the overall devastation caused by the wildfire. Stewart’s lawyer, Philip Star, highlighted his client’s acceptance of responsibility and the absence of grounds for arson charges following an RCMP investigation. Star also alluded to potential contributions from other fires in the region to the wildfire, emphasizing the complexity of the situation. The possibility of civil actions in the future remains uncertain, with no current awareness of any such actions being pursued.
The imposed $25,000 fine, while significant, is a crucial aspect of the sentencing strategy, aiming to emphasize accountability and deterrence. The repercussions of Stewart’s actions, as evidenced by the wildfire’s extensive damage, underline the importance of responsible behavior in fire prevention and management.