Judge Calls N.S. Wildfire ‘Drunken Tire Fire’ as Man Fined $25K
The man responsible for the largest wildfire in Nova Scotia’s history has been fined $25,000, a penalty the judge admitted could never undo the devastation it caused.
Dalton Stewart, 23, was sentenced Thursday in Barrington provincial court after pleading guilty to one charge under the Forest Act. He must also complete wildfire prevention training, as part of a joint recommendation by the Crown and defence.
According to an agreed statement of facts, Stewart and friends were drinking near Barrington Lake on May 25, 2023, when he set a tire on fire on private land. Before leaving, he tried to stomp it out but later admitted he was “very intoxicated” and failed to ensure it was fully extinguished.
The resulting blaze — later known as the Barrington Lake wildfire — burned more than 23,000 hectares, destroyed 60 structures, and displaced thousands of residents. Officials estimated firefighting costs at $8 million.
Senior Crown attorney Brian Cox said the fine reflected accountability, though no penalty could match the destruction.
“Mr. Stewart has conceded that he started the fire that ultimately caused the Barrington Lake wildfire,” Cox told court. “The $25,000 fine is a meaningful deterrent.”
Judge Paul Scovil called it beyond comprehension that anyone would start a fire in such dry conditions, describing the act as a “drunken tire fire.”
Victim Melissa Nickerson, who lost her home in Thomasville, broke down in court while describing the trauma her family continues to endure.
“We had to start over from nothing,” she said. “I’m angry and grief-stricken by the loss of my home and memories.”
Local officials said the sentence reopens painful wounds. In a joint statement, Barrington Warden Shaun Hatfield and Shelburne Warden Penny Smith said their communities remain focused on “recovery, healing, and resilience.”
Fire Chief Darrell Locke of Shelburne’s volunteer department voiced disappointment, arguing a harsher punishment might deter future negligence.
“A $25,000 fine doesn’t influence people. Maybe time in a cell would,” he said.
Stewart’s lawyer, Philip Star, said his client earns modest wages at a fish plant and will need up to two years to pay the fine. He added Stewart accepts responsibility and noted RCMP investigators found no grounds for arson charges.
