N.L. sets $150K fines, 6 months jail for breaking woods ban

Newfoundland and Labrador’s government is threatening fines of up to $150,000 and six months in jail for violating wildfire-related restrictions, as three major blazes continue to burn.

Newfoundland and Labrador’s government is threatening fines of up to $150,000 and six months in jail for violating wildfire-related restrictions, as three major blazes continue to burn in the province.

At a Saturday press conference, Premier Andrew Furey said the penalties, which include minimum fines of $50,000, apply to anyone who ignores evacuation orders, enters restricted zones or otherwise obstructs firefighting efforts.

“Effective today, new fines will range from $50,000 to $150,000 for a first offence. When a ticket is issued, fines will increase from $75 to $50,000, and imprisonment in default of payment will increase from three days to up to six months,” he said.

The province has also launched a $5,000 Crime Stoppers reward for tips leading to the arrest of anyone suspected of deliberately starting a fire.

“These fines are not theoretical,” Furey said. “If you violate these orders, you will be prosecuted.”

The warning comes as the Kingston fire, north of Western Bay, has grown to more than 3,000 hectares, with the Martin Lake and Holyrood fires also active.

Nearly 3,000 people remain under evacuation orders.

Furey said the stiff penalties reflect the “extraordinary circumstances” facing the province, with extreme fire weather forecast to persist in the coming days. Enforcement officers and police have active investigations into the causes of several recent fires.

Nova Scotia started the regional trend, becoming the first province to initiate a total forest ban. It was joined by New Brunswick on Saturday, which closed all Crown land; Residents are being urged by the government to report any suspicious activity in the woods to Crime Stoppers.