Fire Penalties Under Review ~

Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resources Mike Morris has been tasked with reviewing the penalties for starting fires or breaking campfire bans.

The current (Provincial) fines include $115 for failing to report a fire, $173 for dropping, releasing or mishandling a burning substance such as a cigarette, and $345 for violating a campfire ban. 

Morris said he plans to introduce penalties that will be "at least" double or triple those figures.

"If somebody is disobeying a campfire ban, which is done on a daily basis ... we need something to deter people from doing that, because you never know which campfire is going to cause that massive multimillion-dollar forest fire. 

"We have to realize of course that men and women put their lives at risk to fight these fires."

The province has suggested that drivers who are caught flicking their cigarette butts out the window could also have their cars impounded.

"That's really hard to prove, but more and more authorities will be relying on social media as an investigative aid to help them out. If we can do that two or three times, it'll get their attention."

Morris also said he will review the Wildfire Act to make sure it can be interpreted to incorporate modern issues, including drone regulations.  CBC

TIVFD