The Provincial Government has strengthened legislation to protect residents, communities and forest resources from forest fires, and is enhancing public access to important information about wildfire prevention and management.

The new Wildfire Prevention and Management website is a one-stop resource for forest fire season information that includes the daily wildfire risk, active wildfires and statistics, and wildfire prevention guidelines.

It also highlights updated legislation and penalties that improve enforcement and clarify burning regulations following amendments to the Forestry Act and Regulations, which came into force on June 3, 2026.

Full details on amendments and penalties under the Forest Fire Offence and Penalty Regulations, Forest Fire Regulations and Mill Regulations are available on the website.

Highlights include:

• Fireworks and sky lanterns are now banned when the Fire Weather Index is high, very high, or extreme.
• Sawmills must maintain a minimum buffer of 30 metres of non-flammable material between any sawmill residue pile and surrounding vegetation.
• Mill owners must develop sawmill residue management plans outlining how they will manage residue to prevent forest fires or harm to the environment. Failure to follow a management plan will result in suspension of all or part of mill operations.
• Fire-related penalties have been consolidated under the Forest Fire Offence and Penalty Regulations and are specifically tailored to reflect the severity and forest fire risk of various types of unlawful activity.
• The penalty for deliberately setting a fire now ranges from $100,000 to $500,000.
• In addition to deliberately starting a forest fire, a new offence has been created to address recklessly or negligently starting a forest fire. The penalty for this offence ranges from $50,000 to $150,000.
• Minimum penalties of $50,000 now apply to other high-risk activities such as:
  • Lighting a fire without a proper Permit to Burn.
  • Failing to comply with a ministerial order prohibiting fires.
  • Lighting an open or outdoor fire when the Fire Weather Index is very high or extreme.
  • Discharging fireworks or launching a sky lantern when the fire weather index is high, very high or extreme.
  • Leaving a fire unattended or leaving the area before a fire is completely extinguished.

• Penalties for other unlawful activities have been revised, including:
  • $5,000 to $10,000 for continuing to cut or remove trees, or to engage in an activity likely to cause a forest fire, after the operating permit has been suspended or cancelled.
  • $1,000 to $5,000 for carrying out a logging or industrial operation on forest land without having obtained an operating permit.
  • $1,000 to $5,000 for travelling through forest land on ATV or motorized vehicles not properly fitted with devices to prevent sparks or having the required fire extinguisher.
  • $150 to $1,000 for storing or transporting gasoline or other flammable liquids on forest land in an inappropriate container.

This work was informed in consultation with stakeholders, including sawmill operators, forestry companies and other industrial sectors. The Provincial Government will continue to work closely with partners during implementation.

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“Strengthened legislation to protect people, communities, and forest resources from wildfires is long overdue. These changes include strong deterrents to illegal or careless activities and will help ensure forestry officials have all necessary resources available to respond effectively in the event of an emergency. I encourage everyone to visit our new website to become fully informed on the rules and regulations that will help keep our communities safer this forest fire season.”
Honourable Pleaman Forsey
Minister of Forestry, Agriculture and Lands

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Learn more
Amendments to Forestry Act Aim to Prevent Wildfires and Deter Illegal Activity

Wildfire Prevention and Management

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