‘Belligerent’ Ontario man charged for starting fire during active ban
Posted June 8, 2023 11:29 am.
Last Updated June 8, 2023 11:33 am.
Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has charged a man after he was involved in having a backyard fire in northeastern Ontario during an active fire ban.
OPP said members from its East Algoma Detachment were called to assist a local fire department at a residence in the Town of Blind River, Ont. in the Algoma region.
It’s alleged a person at the residence was belligerent and upset at fire department members because they couldn’t have a fire during the ban.
Natural Resources and Forestry Minister Graydon Smith confirmed this week that there are fire restrictions in most of the province’s eastern, central, northeast and northwest regions. Municipalities can impose fire bans as warranted.
Police said 35-year-old Joshua McRae of Blind River, Ont. was charged with unlawfully starting a fire in a restricted fire zone.
RELATED: When can we expect wildfire smoke to clear out of the GTA?
“The East Algoma OPP responded to recent calls for service related to fire bans around the East Algoma area. In the current dry conditions, these are serious matters that put lives, property and infrastructure at risk,” said OPP Insp. Tyler Sturgeon.
“There will be zero tolerance for any open-air burning, including campfires, during the current Restricted Fire Zone, and we will continue to support our local fire departments.”
OPP said a Provincial Offences Act Notice was issued for this offence. Having a fire during a restricted fire zone carries an $880 fine under the Forest Fires Prevention Act.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has urged residents to avoid having campfires and be cautious around open flames. A province-wide fire ban is not yet in effect.
Toronto is one of the many Canadian cities experiencing hazy skies and poor air quality as smoke from wildfires in Ontario and Quebec.
Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued a special air quality statement for Toronto, warning of high pollution levels and deteriorated air quality due to smoke from the fires.
