Two Timmins-area businesses have been fined a combined total of almost $8,500 for violating an emergency area order during an active forest fire.
The two corporations both pleaded guilty to the violations and received a total of $8,411.25 in fines. The corporations violated the requirements of orders during road closures related to forest fire emergencies.
On Sept. 26, 2022, a business, operating as D. Niemi Trucking Inc, in Haileybury, Ont. pleaded guilty to disobeying an order made under the Forest Fires Prevention Act. The business, Ontario Corporation 1946072 received a fine of $6,911.25.
On Feb. 8, 2023, another business, operating as Cool Heat, in Timmins also pleaded guilty to disobeying the same order. The business, Ontario Corporation 281162099, received a fine of $1,500.
Justice of the Peace Diane Lafleur heard the case remotely over two separate dates in the Ontario Court of Justice, Gogama.
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ROAD CLOSURES IN MAY 2022
According to a Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) news release Friday, the court heard that on May 18, 2022, conservation officers were patrolling a closed road area in the vicinity of Highway 560 and Nabakwasi Road in response to the Timmins 001 forest fire.
All use and travel in the area had been prohibited under an emergency area order unless authorized through a permit issued by the MNRF.
Officers first intercepted a single employee of Cool Heat travelling in the closed road area. Later that day, officers observed and intercepted five employees with D. Niemi Trucking Inc in the closed road area.
“Through investigation, officers determined that both corporations directed their employees to enter the closed area and drive around road closure signs and barricades – without ministry authorization,” said the MNRF, in the release.
Enforcement of Emergency Area Orders during active forest fires is done for the safety of provincial fire rangers and the public, said the Ontario government, in the release.
To report a natural resource violation or provide information about an unsolved case, members of the public can call the ministry's TIPS line toll-free at 1-877-847-7667 or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously.
For more information about unsolved cases, visit: ontario.ca/mnrftips.
