Man Who Dumped Hot Ash Pays To Put Out Fire

[Some Old Guy 968]

A Kenora man has been fined $250 and ordered to pay the $2,475 cost of putting out a fire he started near a wooded area in the Kenora District.

William Renner pleaded guilty to dropping hot ash within 300 metres of a forest or woodland.

The court heard that on April 21, 2010, Renner removed burned debris from a camp property in Coyle Township and deposited it into Dogtooth Lake and on a small piece of land along the shore. After returning to the camp, Renner and an associate noticed a fire where they had deposited the burned debris. They immediately went back and tried to put out the fire. Renner called fire emergency services.

The Longbow Lake Fire Department and a Fire Rangers crew and air attack team from the Ministry of Natural Resources were dispatched and brought the fire under control. A ministry conservation officer went to the camp and noted that the ashes and burned material that remained were still hot to the touch. Dry conditions at the time meant there was a high risk of a fire spreading.

Justice of the Peace Bruce Leaman heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Kenora, on August 10, 2010.

The public is reminded that it is illegal to drop hot ash within 300 metres of a forest or woodland during the fire season. In some conditions, even the smallest spark can start a forest fire. More information is available at ontario.ca/fireprevention.

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