Three people are facing charges this week after having campfires during the fire ban and one person could be fined up to $25,000 or face jail time.
On Wednesday night, OPP officers in Elliot came upon people having a campfire on Spruce Beach – one day after the municipal fire ban went into effect and the day before the regional fire ban was declared by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. Additionally, there were arrest warrants out for one of the two and a subsequent arrest was made. CTV News is reporting that charges are being laid against two people in connection to the municipal fire ban which carries a penalty of $500 each.
A third person was charged Thursday for having a fire in the Timiskaming District. OPP received a complaint about a person having a fire during the regional fire ban. That person has been charged with unlawfully starting a fire in a restricted fire zone. The penalty carries a fine of up to $25,000, three months in jail and/or financial responsibility for any costs incurred in fighting a forest fire.
