June 27, 2018-  The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry is seeking the public’s help in identifying the individuals responsible for starting a forest fire in the North Bay area.

The fire was 0.1 hectares in size when discovered on private land adjacent to Petersen Lake on Saturday, June 16, 2018, in the late afternoon. This location can be accessed on foot or by all-terrain vehicle from Kerr Lake Road, south of Cobalt. The fire originated at a small camping and picnic site near the lake and was caused by persons not properly extinguishing their campfire before leaving the area. The fire had grown to approximately one hectare in size before it was extinguished by the Coleman and Cobalt fire departments, with assistance from MNRF fire rangers.

The ministry reminds the public that all forest fires are investigated to determine their cause. A person can be held responsible for the costs of extinguishing a forest fire, as well as for any property damage incurred. Anyone who starts a fire must keep it under control at all times and extinguish it properly before leaving the area.

To report information about this incident or another natural resources violation, call the MNRF TIPS line at 1-877-847-7667 toll-free any time or contact your local ministry office during regular business hours. You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). And visit Ontario.ca/mnrftips to view an interactive, searchable map of unsolved cases. You may be able to provide information that will help solve a case.

Tim Caddel, North Bay Enforcement Unit, 705-475-5596
Mike Schenk, North Bay Enforcement Unit, 705-647-6988