Home / Disasters and Accidents / Charred Maple Leaf Symbolizes Canada's Burning Forests
Charred Maple Leaf Symbolizes Canada's Burning Forests
27 Aug
Summary
- Maple leaf found charred on lawn, miles from wildfire
- Wildfires have destroyed buildings, forced 1,000+ evacuations
- Dry conditions have exacerbated fire risk across Nova Scotia
On August 27, 2025, a charred maple leaf was discovered lying on a lawn in South Greenwood, Nova Scotia, serving as a poignant symbol of the wildfires devastating the region. The discovery came as the Long Lake fire, which began on August 13, had grown to an alarming 8,278 hectares, or 82 square kilometers.
The fire has already destroyed buildings and forced more than 1,000 people from their homes in the Annapolis Valley. Nova Scotia has been experiencing extremely dry conditions, which have exacerbated the fire risk and prompted a ban on certain activities in the woods.
The homeowner, Paul Gray, was initially puzzled by the black object on his lawn, until he realized it was a charred but intact maple leaf. "To see it blackened like that, burnt to a crisp, I think that's the moving part, the realization that we're burning. As a country, we're burning," he said.
Gray's photo of the leaf has been widely shared on social media, with many commenting on its "iconic," "sobering," and "heartbreaking" nature. The leaf's presence so far from the fire zone has also surprised Gray, who noted the high winds that fanned the flames on the day he discovered it.
As the wildfires continue to rage, the charred maple leaf stands as a powerful symbol of the devastation facing Canada's forests and communities.
