Important Information
(Includes details about the availability of printed and electronic
versions of the Statutes.)
Newfoundland and Labrador
Regulation 2026
NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR REGULATION 24/26
NEWFOUNDLAND AND
LABRADOR
REGULATION 24/26
Forest
Fire Offence and Penalty Regulations, 2026 under the Forestry Act (O.C. 2026-104)
(Filed June 3, 2026)
Under the authority of sections 109.1 and
155 of the Forestry Act, the
Lieutenant-Governor in Council makes the following regulations.
Dated at St. John’s, June 2, 2026.
Andrea McKenna
Deputy Clerk of the Executive Council
REGULATIONS
Analysis
1.
Short title
2.
Definitions
3.
Ticketable
offence
4.
Penalty for offence
5.
Subsequent offence
6.
Repeal
Schedule
A
Schedule B
Schedule C
Schedule D
Short title
1.These
regulations may be cited as the Forest
Fire Offence and Penalty Regulations, 2026.
Definitions
2.In
these regulations, "Act" means the Forestry Act.
Ticketable offence
3.A violation of a provision of the Act referred
to in Schedule A and a violation of a provision of the Forest Fire
Regulations referred to in Schedule C is an offence for which a ticket may
be issued under the Provincial Offences Act and regulations under that
Act.
Penalty for
offence
4.(1) A person who contravenes a provision of the Act referred to
in Schedule A is guilty of an offence and, where the complaint is laid and
summons issued by means of a ticket, is liable for a first offence or
subsequent offence, as applicable, to a fine in the amount prescribed in Schedule
A.
(2)A person who
contravenes a provision of the Act referred to in Schedule B is guilty of an
offence and, where the complaint is laid and summons issued other than by way
of a ticket, is liable for a first offence or subsequent offence, as applicable,
to
(a)a fine in an amount not
less than the minimum amount and, where applicable, not more than the maximum
amount prescribed in Schedule B;
(b)imprisonment for a
period up to the time prescribed in Schedule B; or
(c)both a fine referred
to in paragraph (a) and imprisonment referred to in paragraph (b).
(3)A person who
contravenes a provision of the Forest Fire Regulations referred to in
Schedule C is guilty of an offence and, where the complaint is laid and summons
issued by means of a ticket, is liable for a first offence or subsequent
offence, as applicable, to a fine in the amount prescribed in Schedule C.
(4)A person who
contravenes a provision of the Forest Fire Regulations referred to in
Schedule D is guilty of an offence and, where the complaint is laid and summons
issued other than by way of a ticket, is liable for a first offence or
subsequent offence, as applicable, to
(a)a fine in an amount not
less than the minimum amount and, where applicable, not more than the maximum
amount prescribed in Schedule D;
(b)imprisonment for a
period up to the time prescribed in Schedule D; or
(c)both a fine referred
to in paragraph (a) and imprisonment referred to in paragraph (b).
Subsequent
offence
5.With respect to those provisions referred to in the Schedules,
a person shall be considered to be convicted of a
subsequent offence when convicted of an offence within 12 months of the date of
the last conviction for the same offence.
Repeal
6.The
Forest Fire Offence and Penalty Regulations, Consolidated Newfoundland
and Labrador Regulation 10/96, are repealed.
SCHEDULE A
Forestry
Act
Penalties Where Summons Issued by Means
of a Ticket
Penalty
Section,
subsection or
paragraph
Offence
A fine in the dollar amount indicated
First offence
Subsequent offence
96
Violates or fails to comply with a provision
of Part V Division I, a provision of an order or permit or a condition
attached to an order or permit
$1,000
$2,000
98(1)
Ignites a fire or causes a fire to be ignited
on land referred to in subsection 92(1) of the Act during the forest fire
season other than as permitted in subsection 98(1) of the Act
$50,000
$75,000
98(5)
Ignites a fire or causes a fire to be ignited
on land referred to in subsection 92(1) of the Act or fails to extinguish a
fire started under a permit to burn after a permit to burn has been suspended
$50,000
$75,000
98(6)
Ignites a fire or causes a fire to be ignited
on land referred to in subsection 92(1) of the Act or fails to extinguish a
fire started under a permit to burn after a permit to burn has been cancelled
$50,000
$75,000
99(2)
Ignites, maintains or makes use of a fire or
causes a fire to be ignited, maintained or used in violation of a
proclamation issued under subsection 99(1) of the Act
$50,000
$75,000
100(3)(a)
Refuses to allow the use of equipment where requisitioned by a
forestry official
$1,000
$2,000
100(3)(b)
Refuses to follow an order of a forestry official to provide
reasonable assistance to the forestry official
$1,000
$2,000
100(3)(c)
Refuses to follow an order of a forestry official to leave an area
that is or may be affected by a forest fire
$1,000
$2,000
100(4)
Fails to immediately notify a forestry
official or the department that a forest fire has started and exists on forest
land
$1,000
$2,000
101(1)
Throws, drops or otherwise deposits a burning match, cigarette,
cigar or other smoking material, live coals, hot ashes or other burning
substances on land referred to in subsection 92(1) of the Act or fails to
extinguish such a thing
$1,000
$2,000
101(4)
Operates a burner, engine, incinerator or other spark emitting
outlet that is not provided with an adequate device
for arresting sparks on forest land or
within 300 metres of forest land
$1,000
$2,000
101(5)
Refuels or leaves unattended a power saw or like equipment on land
referred to in subsection 92(1) of the Act that has not cooled to the point
where it is unlikely to cause a fire or has not been put in a place where it
is unlikely to start a fire
$1,000
$2,000
101(6)
Stores or transports gasoline, fuel oil or a
similar volatile flammable substance on forest land in a container that is not
listed and labelled by a national testing laboratory recognized by the fire
commissioner
$150
$300
102(1)
Fails to have the area surrounding the site
of a logging camp, mine, mill or garbage dump located on forest land or
within 300 metres of forest land, including areas
where stockpiles, waste and debris are located, cleared of flammable material
for a distance of at least 30 metres or the
distance that may be required by a forestry official
$5,000
$10,000
102(2)
Leaves a fire that was ignited in mill waste or
refuse on mill premises unattended without the approval of a forestry
official
$50,000
$75,000
102(3)
Fails to take immediate action to control and
extinguish a fire and to employ the necessary personnel and equipment for
that purpose, where a fire is burning or starts on forest land where a
forestry operation or other activity is being carried on
$50,000
$75,000
102(4)(a)
Fails to immediately notify the nearest
forest management district office or forestry official where a fire occurs on
land referred to in subsection 92(1) of the Act, in an area where logging or
industrial operations are carried out
$50,000
$75,000
102(4)(b)
Fails to immediately commence fighting a fire
on land referred to in subsection 92(1) of the Act, in an area where logging
or industrial operations are carried out, until relieved of the responsibility
by a forestry official or the fire is extinguished
$50,000
$75,000
105(1)
Cuts or removes trees from forest land or
engages in an activity that is likely to cause a forest fire during the
forest fire season without an operating permit where an operating permit is
required under subsection 105(1) of the Act
$1,000
$2,000
105(2)
Cuts or removes trees from forest land or
engages in an activity that is likely to cause a forest fire during a period
other than the forest fire season without an operating permit where an
operating permit is required under subsection 105(2) of the Act
$1,000
$2,000
105(8)
Continues to cut or remove trees or continues
to engage in an activity that is likely to cause a forest fire after an operating
permit has been suspended or cancelled
$5,000
$10,000
110(a)
Deliberately starts a forest fire
$100,000
$250,000
110(b)
Recklessly or negligently starts a forest
fire
$50,000
$75,000
SCHEDULE B
Forestry
Act
Penalties Where Summons Issued by Means
Other Than a Ticket
Penalty
Section,
subsection or
paragraph
Offence
A fine of not less than
the minimum and not more than the maximum dollar amount indicated or
imprisonment for no longer than the time indicated or both a fine and
imprisonment
Min.
Max.
Max.
96
Violates or fails to comply with a provision
of Part V Division I, a provision of an order or permit or a condition
attached to an order or permit
First Offence
$2,500
180 days
Subsequent Offence
$5,000
180 days
98(1)
Ignites a fire or causes a fire to be ignited
on land referred to in subsection 92(1) of the Act during the forest fire
season other than as permitted in subsection 98(1) of the Act
First Offence
$50,000
$100,000
365 days
Subsequent Offence
$75,000
$150,000
730 days
98(5)
Ignites a fire or causes a fire to be ignited
on land referred to in subsection 92(1) of the Act or fails to extinguish a
fire started under a permit to burn after a permit to burn has been suspended
First Offence
$50,000
$100,000
365 days
Subsequent Offence
$75,000
$150,000
730 days
98(6)
Ignites a fire or causes a fire to be ignited
on land referred to in subsection 92(1) of the Act or fails to extinguish a
fire started under a permit to burn after a permit to burn has been cancelled
First Offence
$50,000
$100,000
365 days
Subsequent Offence
$75,000
$150,000
730 days
99(2)
Ignites, maintains or makes use of a fire or
causes a fire to be ignited, maintained or used in violation of a
proclamation issued under subsection 99(1) of the Act
First Offence
$50,000
$100,000
365 days
Subsequent Offence
$75,000
$150,000
730 days
100(3)(a)
Refuses to allow the use of equipment where requisitioned by a
forestry official
First Offence
$2,500
180 days
Subsequent Offence
$5,000
180 days
100(3)(b)
Refuses to follow an order of a forestry official to provide
reasonable assistance to the forestry official
First Offence
$2,500
180 days
Subsequent Offence
$5,000
180 days
100(3)(c)
Refuses to follow an order of a forestry official to leave an area
that is or may be affected by a forest fire
First Offence
$2,500
180 days
Subsequent Offence
$5,000
180 days
100(4)
Fails to immediately notify a forestry
official or the department that a forest fire has started and exists on forest
land
First Offence
$2,500
180 days
Subsequent Offence
$5,000
180 days
101(1)
Throws, drops or otherwise deposits a burning match, cigarette,
cigar or other smoking material, live coals, hot ashes or other burning
substances on land referred to in subsection 92(1) of the Act or fails to
extinguish such a thing
First Offence
$2,500
180 days
Subsequent Offence
$5,000
180 days
101(4)
Operates a burner, engine, incinerator or other spark emitting
outlet that is not provided with an adequate device
for arresting sparks on forest land or
within 300 metres of forest land
First Offence
$2,500
180 days
Subsequent Offence
$5,000
180 days
101(5)
Refuels or leaves unattended a power saw or like equipment on land
referred to in subsection 92(1) of the Act that has not cooled to the point
where it is unlikely to cause a fire or has not been put in a place where it
is unlikely to start a fire
First Offence
$2,500
180 days
Subsequent Offence
$5,000
180 days
101(6)
Stores or transports gasoline, fuel oil or a
similar volatile flammable substance on forest land in a container that is not
listed and labelled by a national testing laboratory recognized by the fire
commissioner
First Offence
$500
90 days
Subsequent Offence
$1,000
90 days
102(1)
Fails to have the area surrounding the site
of a logging camp, mine, mill or garbage dump located on forest land or
within 300 metres of forest land, including areas
where stockpiles, waste and debris are located, cleared of flammable material
for a distance of at least 30 metres or the
distance that may be required by a forestry official
First Offence
$5,000
180 days
Subsequent Offence
$10,000
180 days
102(2)
Leaves a fire that was ignited in mill waste or
refuse on mill premises unattended without the approval of a forestry
official
First Offence
$50,000
$100,000
365 days
Subsequent Offence
$75,000
$150,000
730 days
102(3)
Fails to take immediate action to control and
extinguish a fire and to employ the necessary personnel and equipment for
that purpose, where a fire is burning or starts on forest land where a
forestry operation or other activity is being carried on
First Offence
$50,000
$100,000
365 days
Subsequent Offence
$75,000
$150,000
730 days
102(4)(a)
Fails to immediately notify the nearest
forest management district office or forestry official where a fire occurs on
land referred to in subsection 92(1) of the Act, in an area where logging or
industrial operations are carried out
First Offence
$50,000
$100,000
365 days
Subsequent Offence
$75,000
$150,000
730 days
102(4)(b)
Fails to immediately commence fighting a fire
on land referred to in subsection 92(1) of the Act, in an area where logging
or industrial operations are carried out, until relieved of the responsibility
by a forestry official or the fire is extinguished
First Offence
$50,000
$100,000
365 days
Subsequent Offence
$75,000
$150,000
730 days
105(1)
Cuts or removes trees from forest land or
engages in an activity that is likely to cause a forest fire during the
forest fire season without an operating permit where an operating permit is
required under subsection 105(1) of the Act
First Offence
$2,500
180 days
Subsequent Offence
$5,000
180 days
105(2)
Cuts or removes trees from forest land or
engages in an activity that is likely to cause a forest fire during a period
other than the forest fire season without an operating permit where an
operating permit is required under subsection 105(2) of the Act
First Offence
$2,500
180 days
Subsequent Offence
$5,000
180 days
105(8)
Continues to cut or remove trees or continues
to engage in an activity that is likely to cause a forest fire after an operating
permit has been suspended or cancelled
First Offence
$5,000
180 days
Subsequent Offence
$10,000
180 days
110(a)
Deliberately starts a forest fire
First Offence
$100,000
$250,000
365 days
Subsequent Offence
$250,000
$500,000
730 days
110(b)
Recklessly or negligently starts a forest
fire
First Offence
$50,000
$100,000
365 days
Subsequent Offence
$75,000
$150,000
730 days
SCHEDULE C
Forest
Fire Regulations
Penalties Where Summons Issued by Means
of a Ticket
Penalty
Section, subsection or
paragraph
Offence
A fine in the dollar
amount indicated
First
Offence
Subsequent
Offence
5(1)
Lights an open or outdoor fire during the forest
fire season when the fire weather index is very high or extreme
$50,000
$75,000
5(2)
Discharges fireworks or lights a sky lantern during the forest fire
season when the fire weather index is high, very high or extreme without
approval of the minister or a person designated by the minister
$50,000
$75,000
8(a)
Leaves a fire unattended during the forest
fire season
$1,000
$2,000
8(b)
Leaves the location of a fire before the fire
is completely extinguished during the forest fire season
$1,000
$2,000
11(1)
Travels through forest land during the forest
fire season on an all-terrain or motorized vehicle that has an exhaust pipe that
does not have a properly fitted muffler and the required type of devices to
prevent the escape of sparks or burnt particles or the exhaust system is not
clean of debris
$1,000
$2,000
11(2)
Travels through forest land during the forest
fire season on an all-terrain or motorized vehicle without having the
required fire extinguisher
$1,000
$2,000
12(1)(a)
Uses machinery or equipment in a logging or
industrial activity during the forest fire season that has an exhaust pipe that
does not have a properly fitted muffler and the required type of devices to
prevent the escape of sparks or burnt particles
$1,000
$2,000
12(1)(b)
Uses machinery or equipment in a logging or
industrial activity during the forest fire season that does not have an
approved fire extinguisher
$1,000
$2,000
12(1)(c)
Uses machinery or equipment in a logging or
industrial activity during the forest fire season that is not clean of debris
$1,000
$2,000
12(2)
Uses a power saw during the forest fire
season that has an exhaust that does not have a properly fitted muffler and the
required type of devices to prevent the escape of sparks or burnt particles or
without the required fire extinguisher
$1,000
$2,000
13(1)
Carries out a logging or industrial operation on forest land
during the forest fire season without having first obtained an operating
permit
$1,000
$2,000
13(3)(a)
Carries out a logging or industrial operation
on forest land during the forest fire season without the required type and
amount of forest fire suppression equipment
$5,000
$10,000
13(3)(b)
Carries out a logging or industrial operation
on forest land during the forest fire season without the required type and
amount of fully functional forest fire pumps
$5,000
$10,000
13(6)
Fails to have a copy of the operating permit
on the operating site or fails to present it when requested by a forestry
official, during forest fire season
$150
$300
SCHEDULE D
Forest
Fire Regulations
Penalties Where Summons Issued by Means
Other Than a Ticket
Penalty
Section, subsection or
paragraph
Offence
A fine of not less than
the minimum and not more than the maximum dollar amount indicated or
imprisonment for no longer than the time indicated or both a fine and
imprisonment
Min.
Max.
Max.
5(1)
Lights an open or outdoor fire during the
forest fire season when the fire weather index is very high or extreme
First Offence
$50,000
$100,000
365 days
Subsequent Offence
$75,000
$150,000
730 days
5(2)
Discharges fireworks or lights a sky lantern during
the forest fire season when the fire weather index is high, very high or
extreme without approval of the minister or a person designated by the
minister
First Offence
$50,000
$100,000
365 days
Subsequent Offence
$75,000
$150,000
730 days
8(a)
Leaves a fire unattended during the forest
fire season
First Offence
$2,500
180 days
Subsequent Offence
$5,000
180 days
8(b)
Leaves the location of a fire before the fire
is completely extinguished during the forest fire season
First Offence
$2,500
180 days
Subsequent Offence
$5,000
180 days
11(1)
Travels through forest land during the forest
fire season on an all-terrain or motorized vehicle that has an exhaust pipe that
does not have a properly fitted muffler and the required type of devices to
prevent the escape of sparks or burnt particles or the exhaust system is not
clean of debris
First Offence
$2,500
180 days
Subsequent Offence
$5,000
180 days
11(2)
Travels through forest land during the forest
fire season on an all-terrain or motorized vehicle without having the
required fire extinguisher
First Offence
$2,500
180 days
Subsequent Offence
$5,000
180 days
12(1)(a)
Uses machinery or equipment in a logging or
industrial activity during the forest fire season that has an exhaust pipe that
does not have a properly fitted muffler and the required type of devices to
prevent the escape of sparks or burnt particles
First Offence
$2,500
180 days
Subsequent Offence
$5,000
180 days
12(1)(b)
Uses machinery or equipment in a logging or
industrial activity during the forest fire season that does not have an
approved fire extinguisher
First Offence
$2,500
180 days
Subsequent Offence
$5,000
180 days
12(1)(c)
Uses machinery or equipment in a logging or
industrial activity during the forest fire season that is not clean of debris
First Offence
$2,500
180 days
Subsequent Offence
$5,000
180 days
12(2)
Uses a power saw during the forest fire
season that has an exhaust that does not have a properly fitted muffler and the
required type of devices to prevent the escape of sparks or burnt particles
or without the required fire extinguisher
First Offence
$2,500
180 days
Subsequent Offence
$5,000
180 days
13(1)
Carries out a logging or industrial operation on forest land
during the forest fire season without having first obtained an operating
permit
First Offence
$2,500
180 days
Subsequent Offence
$5,000
180 days
13(3)(a)
Carries out a logging or industrial operation
on forest land during the forest fire season without the required type and
amount of forest fire suppression equipment
First Offence
$5,000
180 days
Subsequent Offence
$10,000
180 days
13(3)(b)
Carries out a logging or industrial operation
on forest land during the forest fire season without the required type and
amount of fully functional forest fire pumps
First Offence
$5,000
180 days
Subsequent Offence
$10,000
180 days
13(6)
Fails to have a copy of the operating permit
on the operating site or fails to present it when requested by a forestry
official, during forest fire season