Goulais man forced to pay for fire he started

NEWS RELEASE

MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND FORESTRY

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A Goulais River man was fined and ordered to pay forest fire suppression costs under the Forest Fires Prevention Act.

Alfred Frech pleaded guilty and was fined $100 for starting a fire without a permit. He was also ordered to pay $4,313 for the cost of putting out the fire.

Court heard that on Apr. 30, 2016, Frech was burning a tree stump and brush in the back of his property in Goulais River, north of Sault Ste. Marie. He did not have a permit to burn during the day.

Frech left the fire unattended and when he returned, the fire had spread into the leaves and nearby bushes. After Frech called 911, the fire was extinguished by the Goulais, Aweres and Batchawana fire departments. A Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry fire ranger crew also attended the fire.

Justice of the Peace Paula Nichols heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Sault Ste. Marie, on Mar. 14, 2017.

The ministry reminds the public that daytime burning is not allowed without a permit during the Apr. 1 to Oct. 31 forest fire season. A person can be held responsible for the costs of extinguishing a forest fire or for any property damage incurred.

If you have information about a forest fire, call the MNRF TIPS line at 1-877-847-7667 toll-free any time, or call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

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