N.S. Natural Resources swamped with requests for permits to work in the woods

Nova Scotia's Department of Natural Resources is asking people to stop calling an emergency hotline for reporting wildfires as they seek answers about whether or not they can continue to work in the woods.

Many people were caught off guard when the province temporarily banned all woods work without a permit on Tuesday in order to mitigate the risk of sparking forest fires.

Anyone caught camping, hiking, fishing or using vehicles such as ATVs in the woods could face a $25,000 fine. Mining and forestry companies have also been told to stop work and apply for permits in order to continue.

Some of those operations will have to work at night, when the risk of fire is lower.

The department said Thursday it's dealing with a "high volume" of questions and requests for permits.

In a statement, the department said staff are working as quickly as possible to answer the questions and issue permits.

It also said some people looking for answers have been calling the emergency hotline dedicated for reporting wildfires and violations. They're being told to stop using that number and instead contact their local natural resources office.

People who work in the woods need to meet certain criteria now to be allowed access.

They must tell the province why their job cannot be delayed or moved to a safer location. They have to provide descriptions of the work and they have to offer a plan to mitigate the risk of starting a fire.

The province said "many" permits have been issued but said it couldn't give an exact number because it keeps growing as more files are processed.

The rules will be in place until Oct. 15 or until weather conditions allow them to be lifted.