Several Canadian provinces including New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador have implemented strict bans on outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, and camping due to elevated wildfire risks. New Brunswick and Nova Scotia have prohibited entry into wooded areas, while Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador have imposed provincewide burn bans. These measures come amid active wildfires, notably near Newfoundland's largest city, St. John's, and in the Bayers Lake area of Halifax, Nova Scotia. The wildfire near St. John's has prompted evacuation alerts for approximately 20,000 residents, with Premier John Hogan noting the difficulty of enforcing hiking bans in Newfoundland and instead opting for increased fines for fire violations. The Bayers Lake wildfire, estimated at 25-30 hectares, remains out of control and is linked to human activity, with water bombers from New Brunswick deployed to assist firefighting efforts. New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt emphasized that hiking bans are necessary to prevent injuries in the woods, as emergency services are strained. The bans have faced criticism, with some labeling them as excessive safety measures. Fines for violating wildfire restrictions can reach up to $28,000. Officials have shifted their justifications for the bans over time, initially citing fire prevention, then the risk of injury, and more recently the danger of sudden fire spread. The federal government and media often attribute wildfires to climate change, but Nova Scotia statistics indicate arson accounts for over half of the fires. Newfoundland's Premier John Hogan reported that up to 100 homes and structures may have been lost due to the wildfire near St. John's. Residents in affected provinces remain on high alert as wildfire conditions persist.