LETTING A CAMPFIRE START A WILDFIRE COSTS THREE MEN $6,300

[Some Old Guy 968]

KENORA - Three Winnipeg men must pay $6,000 to cover a portion of the cost of suppressing a wildfire they caused. That fire, known as Kenora Fire 9, cost the Ministry of Natural Resources over $38,000 to put out.

Ian McAulay, William Funk and Adam Jones, all 21, pleaded guilty and were fined $100 each for not tending their campfire and $2,000 each to help pay for a portion of the cost of putting the fire out.

The court was told that on April 23, 2006, the men were camping near Woodchuck Bay Road, about 30 kilometres west of Kenora. The men couldn't see their campfire from their tent because trees blocked the view. The men called 911 when they became aware that a wildfire was burning near them. Shortly afterwards, the ministry's Aviation and Forest Fire Management dispatched a crew who put the fire out.

On April 24, ministry's fire technicians investigated the fire. They determined that embers from the men's campfire had blown downwind and started the wildfire. Two days later, a Kenora District conservation officer interviewed the men and laid charges against them.

Justice of the Peace Joe Morrison heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Kenora, on March 20, 2007.

The ministry reminds the public that protecting our forest from unwanted fires requires caution and extreme care. If you start a fire, never leave it unattended and be sure it is completely extinguished before leaving. The public may be required to pay the government the costs of putting out a fire which they have caused.

To report a natural resource 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 at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).