Two Cochrane men fined $1,100 for starting rural grass fire
Two northern Ontario men were fined $1,100 each after pleading guilty to burning grass without a permit last spring.
Thomas and Bruce Mann of Cochrane were charged under the Forest Fires Prevention Act and found guilty in a remote hearing Sept. 12, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources said in a news release Friday.
Justice of the Peace Estelle Bérubé heard on the evening of April 25, ministry fire staff were called to a grass fire at a rural residence in Brower Township east of Cochrane.
"Fire ranger crews were able to contain and suppress the fire," the ministry said.
"Conservation officers investigated the cause of the fire and determined that both Thomas and Bruce Mann were responsible for starting it."
- Download the CTV News app now
- Get local breaking news alerts
- Daily newsletter with the top local stories emailed to your inbox
This year, Ontario had 483 forest fires that burned 89,842 hectares of land.
There were a total of 45 forest fires in the Cochrane District that burned more than 18,500 ha this year.
The first fire in the Cochrane District, COC001, started April 25 about 7:30 p.m. and burned 9.8 ha, according to the ministry forest fire info map.
There are three active wildfires in the Thunder Bay District that are either under control or being observed.
By ensuring landowners adhere to the Forest Fires Prevention Act, the province said it is safeguarding the public.
"To report a natural resource problem or provide information about an unsolved case, members of the public can call the ministry TIPS line toll free at 1-877-847-7667," the ministry said.
"You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS. For more information about unsolved cases, please visit ontario.ca/mnrftips."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Five years after toddler's brutal death, Northern Ont. family struggles to find peace, justice
A North Bay family is struggling to find peace and justice as the five-year anniversary of the brutal death of toddler Oliver McCarthy approaches.
Alberta RCMP officer charged with 2 counts of sexual assault
Const. Bridget Morla, a Leduc RCMP officer, has been charged with two counts of sexual assault in connection with an incident that happened two years ago.
Ontario dad removes hockey rink at heart of neighbour dispute
A Markham dad who drew the ire of neighbours and the city after installing a hockey rink in his backyard says the rink has now been taken down.
Kingston, Ont. doctor in 'disbelief' after being ordered to repay $600K for pandemic vaccination payments
An Ontario health tribunal has ordered a Kingston, Ont. doctor to repay over $600,000 to the Ontario government for improperly billing thousands of COVID-19 vaccinations at the height of the pandemic.
Canadian among three climbers missing on New Zealand's highest peak
A Canadian is among three climbers missing after they'd planned to climb New Zealand's highest peak.
Motivated by obsession: Canadians accused in botched California murder plot in police custody
Two Canadians are in police custody in Monterey County, California, after a triple stabbing police say was motivated by a B.C. man's obsession with a woman he played video games with online.
Trump demands immediate release of Oct. 7 hostages, says otherwise there will be 'HELL TO PAY'
President-elect Donald Trump is demanding the immediate release of the Israeli hostages still being held in Gaza, saying that if they are not freed before he is sworn into office there will be “HELL TO PAY."
Negotiations between Canada Post, union still on hold
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers says a new framework for negotiations that Canada Post presented over the weekend moved closer to the union's position on some issues, but that it remains far from what members could ratify.
Assembly of First Nations special chiefs assembly kicks off in Ottawa
The Assembly of First Nations is hosting a special chiefs assembly in Ottawa today with child welfare, economic reconciliation and First Nations policing on the agenda.