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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
Short title
1.
These regulations may be cited as the Forest Fire Offence and Penalty Regulations, 2026.
24/26 s1
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Definitions
2.
In these regulations, "Act" means the Forestry Act.
24/26 s2
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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.
24/26 s3
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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).
24/26 s4
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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.
24/26 s5
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Repeal
6.
The Forest Fire Offence and Penalty Regulations, Consolidated Newfoundland and Labrador Regulation 10/96, are repealed.
24/26 s6
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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
|
24/26 Sch. A
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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
|
24/26 Sch. B
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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
|
24/26 Sch. C
Back to Top
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
|
First Offence
|
$500
|
|
90 days
|
Subsequent Offence
|
$1,000
|
|
90 days
|
24/26 Sch. D
©King's Printer
|