Forest Fire Fines Increased

Thursday, July 13, 2017

You can now be charged up to $25,000 if you start a forest fire. Approximately half of all forest fires are started by people. The increase in fines is intended to prevent fires which can be expensive and dangerous for the public. These fines apply only in Ontario’s fire region. The fire region excludes southern Ontario, except for northern parts of Midhurst, Peterborough and Kemptville districts. Forest fire season lasts from April 1 to October 31.

If you see a wildfire, you can report it by calling 310-FIRE (3473) or 9-1-1. This year there have been 136 wildfires to date. If you are going camping, note that some campsites have fire bans in place where you are not allowed to have a campfire.

You can help prevent forest fires by following these tips:

  • Don’t leave your campfire unattended and make sure it is completely out when you leave the area.
  • Don’t have campfires when it is windy.
  • If you plan to burn yard waste, such as grass or wood, consider composting it instead.
  • If you are using fireworks, make sure that any hot residue is extinguished.
  • Check with your local fire department or municipality about any burning restrictions in your area.
  • All forest fires are investigated, and if you are responsible for one, you may have to pay for the cost of the damage.

You can learn more about fire protection in Settlement.Org’s article, How should I protect myself in case of a fire? You can also find out more about Ontario’s forest fire management strategy on the Government of Ontario website.

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