The Provincial Government is acting on its commitment to make communities safer by modernizing and strengthening the legislation that protects residents, communities and forest resources from wildfires.

Following the devasting wildfire season in 2025, the Department of Forestry, Agriculture and Lands completed a legislative review of the forest fire-related provisions of the Forestry Act and regulations. This work ensures all necessary resources are available to respond effectively in the event of an emergency.

Legislative amendments to the Forestry Act, which received Royal Assent in the House of Assembly on Tuesday, June 2, are designed to modernize, clarify and strengthen the tools the department can use to regulate burning during Forest Fire Season. They also expand the authority of forestry officials during emergencies to support fire control or suppression efforts and address public safety concerns.

The amended Forestry Act ensures the Provincial Government’s wildfire prevention and mitigation framework is clearer for the public. It also expands fire-related offences to include reckless or negligent conduct, in addition to deliberate acts, to help deter unlawful or unsafe activity.

Highlights of amendments to the Forestry Act are available in the backgrounder below.

Further improvements to associated regulations, including the Forest Fire Offence and Penalty Regulations, Mill Regulations, and Forest Fire Regulations, will follow the amendments to the Forestry Act.

The department consulted with stakeholders, including sawmill operators, forestry companies and other industrial sectors, for feedback on the amendments and will work closely with all stakeholders through the implementation process.

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“The Forestry Act has changed very little in 35 years. It is our responsibility – government, communities, industry, and residents – to ensure safer communities for all of us. These changes will clarify and strengthen regulations and penalties so we can all work together to prevent wildfires.”
Honourable Pleaman Forsey
Minister of Forestry, Agriculture and Lands

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BACKGROUNDER

Highlights of amendments to the Forestry Act

• Consolidate all fire-related penalties to the Forest Fire Offences and Penalty Regulations. This amendment is critical to ensure amendments can be made during emergencies if flexibility is required.
• Expand fire-related offences to include reckless or negligent conduct, in addition to deliberate acts, to help deter unlawful or unsafe activity.
• Expand the areas of the province for which a burn permit is required during Forest Fire Season to include all land that contains flammable vegetation.
• Broaden ministerial authority to declare restricted travel areas that include municipal, provincial and private campgrounds to ensure safety and consistency when restricting travel in an area due to forest conditions.
• Clarify and expand the authority of forestry officials, including authority to order individuals to leave an area if required due to fire control or suppression efforts or personal safety concerns. This includes creating an offence related to a person not complying with the order.
• Clarify offences that cover a variety of situations, such as lighting an open fire when the Fire Weather Index is very high or extreme, leaving a fire unattended, leaving an area before a fire is completely extinguished, or discharging fireworks or a sky lantern when the Fire Weather Index is high, very high or extreme.