East Coast Drought Fuels Wildfires and Water Shortages

An ongoing drought on the East Coast is exacerbating wildfires and causing significant challenges for farmers and homeowners. The affected areas include Nova Scotia, eastern Newfoundland, southeastern New Brunswick, and parts of Prince Edward Island, which have shifted into moderate to severe drought conditions.

Rainfall has significantly decreased in the region. Halifax has experienced approximately 60% of its normal rainfall levels, with 270 millimeters recorded from April to the end of July, compared to the average of 460 mm. In Newfoundland and Labrador, where wildfire smoke is visible near the capital, rainfall is down by about a third from typical levels during the same period.

Experts are noting the severity of the situation, with one forecaster describing it as potentially one of the driest Augusts on record, preceded by a very dry July. Agriculture Canada specialists indicate that while drought conditions are not unprecedented in the Atlantic region, 2025 has been exceptionally dry. This has led to severe impacts, including water supply losses, shortages, and the drying up of surface water sources.

Farmers in Nova Scotia are facing particularly difficult circumstances, with water shortages described as the most severe in recent memory. They are working long hours to irrigate crops, struggling to keep produce from withering. Some wells are running dry, raising concerns about whether they will last through the summer. Yields are expected to be down, and farmers are exhausted from the constant efforts to maintain irrigation systems.

The forecast predicts only light precipitation in the near future, suggesting that warm and dry conditions will persist across Atlantic Canada. Wildfires are raging in Newfoundland and Labrador and New Brunswick, leading to activity bans in forested areas.

The drought is also impacting homeowners, particularly those reliant on private wells. Many are scrambling to ensure their wells are full. Water delivery services are experiencing unprecedented demand, with some companies reporting the highest call volumes in their operational history. The shortages are most prevalent in smaller communities that lack access to city reservoirs.

Water conservation measures are in place, with some areas implementing mandatory limits as reservoirs dwindle. Stream flows and groundwater levels are at historic lows in New Brunswick. Experts note that groundwater levels have reached their lowest annual points earlier than usual this year, highlighting the severity and duration of the drought.