Ontario Government Takes Measures to Protect Fire Rangers and Public Amidst Forest Fires

In a bid to ensure the safety of its fire rangers and the general public, the Ontario government is taking stringent measures to prevent unauthorized access to active forest fire zones.

A resident of Orford, Quebec, was recently fined $1,650 after pleading guilty to violating an order under the Forest Fires Prevention Act.

Reports from the court indicate that on July 1, 2023, the man was spotted on Translimit Road, east of Cochrane, an area that had been declared off-limits due to an emergency area order. This order was instituted to guarantee public safety and to facilitate uninterrupted fire suppression operations, both aerial and terrestrial.

Despite clear signage and a road closure barricade at the Ontario/Quebec border, he chose to bypass these warnings, venturing into the restricted zone. This act not only endangered the lives of the fire rangers but also posed a significant risk to his passengers and himself.

Justice of the Peace Christine LeClair presided over the case, which was conducted remotely in the Ontario Court of Justice, Cochrane, on October 3, 2023.

Read More Here: news.ontario.ca/en/bulletin/1003705/ontario-protecting-fire-rangers-and-the-public-against-unsafe-travel-in-fire-areas