Mervyn Perry went to bed one night in May 2023, unaware that a tire was being set ablaze on his property in Barrington, Nova Scotia. This fire would eventually contribute to the largest wildfire in the province's history. Court documents from the recent sentencing of Dalton Stewart revealed that the fire originated on Perry's land near Barrington Lake.

Perry, 86, discovered the fire's impact days later when he noticed smoke and heard discussions on social media. His property spans over 100 hectares, and he expressed frustration about the incident. "You're on someone else's property to begin with. Go on your own property. Buy a piece of property and destroy your own," Perry said. He pointed out that the fire was started several kilometers from his home, making it impossible for him to see the flames.

On October 16, Stewart was fined $25,000 after pleading guilty to a charge under the Forests Act. An agreed statement of facts detailed the events of May 25, 2023, when Stewart was in the area drinking with friends. He used cardboard and motor oil as accelerants to ignite the fire near a local landmark known as Homer’s Rock. Before leaving the scene, Stewart attempted to extinguish the flames by stomping on them but did not use water or check if the embers were cool.

Witnesses reported seeing two trucks leave an adjacent road, followed by smoke the next day and a small fire near Homer’s Rock. Stewart's lawyer acknowledged that the tire fire was part of the Barrington wildfire but suggested that other fires may have also contributed to the devastation.

The wildfire ultimately burned over 23,000 hectares, destroying numerous structures and forcing thousands to evacuate. Although Perry's home and cottage were spared, he had to leave the area for about a week. He lamented the loss of many trees on his land, stating, "We bought this land more or less for our kids. There's a lot of beautiful places along this river here but most of it is just destroyed now."

Perry acknowledged that the fire's rapid spread was not intentional, attributing it to strong winds and dry conditions. However, he felt the penalty for Stewart could have been more severe given the extensive damage caused. He also noted that others were present with Stewart at the time and did not have permission to be on his property.

During the sentencing hearing, the Crown stated that no sentence could reverse the consequences of the fire but described the $25,000 fine as significant, proportionate, and fair. No charges were filed against any other individuals involved.

Local officials recognized that the sentencing might evoke painful memories for those affected by the wildfire. Kevin Doane, a volunteer firefighter and lobster fisherman, expressed that many in the community are still struggling with the aftermath. He noted that he lost thousands of dollars worth of gear in the fire and found the fine to be insufficient given the circumstances. "It's kind of a slap in the face to the volunteer firefighters and everybody that lost everything because it's still quite emotional for people," Doane said.

The charred landscape serves as a constant reminder of the devastation experienced by the community. Perry stated that he must now focus on moving forward, hoping that his children will one day enjoy the land again. "It shouldn't have happened but it did and it's gone and now you’ve got to live with it and they’ve got to live with it."