Two charged with open air burning north of city

NEWS RELEASES

OPP

SAULT STE. MARIE FIRE SERVICES

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Open air burning reported

Charges laid In gravel pit party

SAULT STE. MARIE, ON  -  Sault Ste. Marie OPP responded to two fire complaints this weekend.

On Friday, May 25, 2012 at approximately 10:15 p.m., police were dispatched to a party in a gravel pit off of Trout Lake Road in Aweres Township.

Upon police arrival, a bon fire was observed.

One male was charged under the Forest Fire Prevention Act for starting a fire in a restricted fire zone and under the Liquor Licence Act for person under 19 consuming liquor. 

On Saturday, May 26, 2012, at 7 p.m., OPP responded to a bonfire in the 100 block of Haviland Shores Drive.

The resident owner was charged under the Forest Fire Prevention Act for starting a fire in a restricted fire zone.

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Raising awareness on wildfire prevention

With the current wildfire situation in Northeastern Ontario and many communities under threat, the Fire Marshal of Ontario is stressing the immediate need to raise awareness and promote fire safety to reduce the serious risk of wildfire and the potential for loss of property and life.

Sault Ste. Marie Fire Services wants to remind the public that the municipal and provincial fire ban will continue to be in effect indefinitely.  

After a Restricted Fire Zone has been declared by the province; it is illegal to set out a fire for any purpose within the affected area, and failure to comply could result in provincially imposed fines of up to $1,000, three months in jail and financial responsibility for any costs incurred in fighting a forest fire caused by the illegal act. 

Please follow this link for the restricted fire zones in Ontario. 

People are encouraged to use the toll-free emergency telephone number to report wildfires in Northern Ontario. 

The number 310-FIRE (3473) is available in areas north of the French and Mattawa Rivers.

In addition to the risk of loss of life and injury, there are significant potential costs associated with wildfires.

These costs include the loss of forest values, habitat and resources, and recreational opportunities, as well as financial costs to control and suppress wildfires.

Approximately half of the wildland fires in Ontario are caused by humans, often as a result of careless burning practices and failure to properly control and extinguish campfires, grass and brush fires.

Persons found to be responsible for such fires could be liable for the costs and expenses of actions taken to combat them.

Fire Chief Marcel Provenzano is asking the public to do their part and be extra vigilant about wildfire prevention, and immediately report all fire occurrences.

Inquiries about the foregoing may be directed to Fire Chief Marcel Provenzano at 705-949-3349.

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