Local man fined for burning without permit

News Release
MNR
Mark Marchuk was charged under the Forest Fires Prevention Act and fined $150 for unlawfully starting a fire without a permit.
Court heard that on May 26, 2009, acting upon information from the Dawson Township and Rainy River municipal fire services, Ministry of Natural Resources conservation officers contacted Marchuk regarding a fire at his house in Dawson Township, on May 10, 2009. Marchuk advised officers that he started the fire to burn grass and brush, and did not know that he needed a permit to do so.
The case was heard by Justice of the Peace Pat Clysdale-Cornell in the Ontario Court of Justice, Rainy River, on January 14, 2010.
Any person intending to set a fire for the purposes of disposing of woody debris or grass within a municipality must follow any municipal by-law in place for that purpose. If no municipal burning by-laws exist, the person must follow all provisions of the Forest Fires Prevention Act.

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).