June 10, 2009
FISHING GUIDE MUST PAY $7,000 FOR FAILING TO PUT OUT CAMPFIRE
A fishing resort guide who failed to put out his campfire must pay $7,000.
Ted McLeod, of Atikokan, was charged under the Forest Fires Prevention Act and fined $1,000 for failing to extinguish a fire. McLeod must also pay $6,000 to the Ministry of Natural Resources to help cover the cost of putting out the fire.
Court heard that on August 5, 2008, MNR conservation officers investigated a complaint that a group of anglers camping on the lower flood waters of Marmion Lake, north of Atikokan, failed to put out the campfire they had set for cooking. McLeod was employed as the fishing guide by a local resort.
A Fire Ranger crew and CL-415 water bomber plane were dispatched to the fire. The total cost to extinguish the fire was in excess of $20,000.
The case was heard by Justice of the Peace Pat Clysdale-Cornell in the Ontario Court of Justice, Atikokan, on May 28, 2009.
To report a natural resources violation, call 1-877-TIPS-MNR (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).