Strengthened restrictions accompany a negligent yearn to burn in Alberta, as of Friday, March 31, 2017.
Last year, more than 1,300 fires consumed more than 600,000 hectares of land in the province. The most significant blaze, a wildfire that forced the evacuation of Fort McMurray in May.
This year, enhancements to the Forest and Prairie Protection Act have been put in place in hopes that stiffer fines will promote the shared responsibility of fire prevention.
“Last fall, we passed important legislation to help deter unsafe behaviour and give our wild-land firefighters more tools to keep Albertans and their communities safe,” Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Oneil Carlier said in a statement.
Significant changes to the Act include revised penalties for leaving a campfire unattended or burning without a permit. Fireworks and exploding targets are also restricted in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, without permission.
“These strengthened regulations send a clear message that we all share a responsibility to help prevent wildfires,” Carlier said.
Anyone who knowingly violates the Forest and Prairie Protection Act by starting a wildfire could face a $100,000 fine, or up to two years in prison.
Penalties are exponentially tougher for industrial users, with potential for a $1 million dollar fine and/or a penalty of $10,000 per offence, per day.
Starting May 1, 2017, tickets for unattended campfires will be handed out. They carry a financial set back ranging between $172 and $575.
More serious offenses, like operating a drone near a wildfire, will result in an automatic court appearance.
The Alberta government says 70 per cent of wildfires fought in the last five years in the province can be linked to human activity.
The bottom line: burn safely. Campers, day trippers and backcountry users abiding by common sense fire practices have nothing to worry about.
Wildfire season began March 1 in Alberta. Report wildfires online or by calling 310-FIRE.
