Fisheries and Land Resources is investigating a fire near Harbour Grace on Thursday, April 30, believed to be caused by an individual burning brush without a Permit to Burn and leaving the fire unattended. Forest fire-fighting staff and an air tanker responded to the fire, which burned an area of two hectares.

Penalties for violating provincial forest fire regulations range from a summary offence ticket to a minimum fine of $500 to a maximum three months’ imprisonment. Subsequent offences may result in a minimum fine of $1,000 to a maximum three months’ imprisonment.

Forest fire season is in effect for the island portion of the province until September 30. To reduce risk of COVID-19 exposure for fire fighters and other first responders, and to protect communities from risk of wildfires, permits to burn are only being issued for agriculture, silviculture and fire training purposes at this time. A Permit to Burn for these purposes can be obtained at a local Forestry and Wildlife District Office.

Fires for agricultural purposes are only permitted during forest fire season if permission is obtained from a forestry official with the Department of Fisheries and Land Resources. Farmers requesting a permit in or near a forested area must be farmers with commercial sales, or new farmers developing land with an adequate protection plan established for the area to be burned.

The department will only issue permits based on the current fire weather index, depot capacity, and availability of air tanker support. Permits may be cancelled or suspended if fire risk is high.

In Labrador, the forest fire season is scheduled to start June 1, subject to weather conditions and wildfire risk, and will remain in place until September 30.

For more information, visit Provincial Forest Fire Regulations and Public Reminders for the Forest Fire Season.

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Media contact
Linda Skinner
Fisheries and Land Resources
709-637-2284, 632-8167
lindaskinner@gov.nl.ca