Carelessness causes forest fire - man pays stiff price

NEWS RELEASE

MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES

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Hot ashes get Cochrane resident into hot water

A Cochrane man has been fined $300 and was ordered to pay $ 7,756.57 for a fire that burned two hectares of forest, southeast of Cochrane.

Scott Antila pleaded guilty under the Forest Fires Prevention Act to dropping hot ashes in a forested area. 

He was ordered to pay fire suppression costs incurred by the Ministry of Natural Resources in putting out the blaze.

Court heard that on October 6, 2011, Ontario Fire Rangers were dispatched and extinguished a forest fire off Boundary Road, just southeast of Cochrane. 

An investigation by a Ministry of Natural Resources conservation officer determined that the fire originated from the same location where Antila had deposited his hot woodstove ashes two days before.

Justice of the Peace Dolores Boyuk heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice in Cochrane, on December 8, 2011.

The public is reminded that it is illegal to drop hot ashes within 300 metres of a forest or woodland during the fire season.

In some conditions, even the smallest spark can start a forest fire.

To report a natural resource violation, call 1-877-TIPS-MNR (847-7667) toll-free any time or contact your ministry office during regular business hours. You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

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