Forest Fire Offence and Penalty Regulations, 2026
N.L.R. 24/26
Newfoundland and Labrador — Regulations
This is an official version.
Copyright 2026: King's Printer,
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
Important Information
(Includes details about the availability of printed and electronic versions of the Statutes.)
Table of Regulations
Main Site
How current is this regulation?
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. Johns, June 2, 2026.
Andrea McKenna
Deputy Clerk of the Executive Council
REGULATIONS
Analysis
Short title
Definitions
Ticketable
offence
Penalty for offence
Subsequent offence
Repeal
Schedule A
Schedule B
Schedule C
Schedule D
Short title
These regulations may be cited as the Forest Fire Offence and Penalty Regulations, 2026 .
24/26 s1
Back to Top
Definitions
In these regulations, "Act" means the Forestry Act .
24/26 s2
Back to Top
Ticketable offence
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
Back to Top
Penalty for offence
(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
Back to Top
Subsequent offence
W ith 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
Back to Top
Repeal
The Forest Fire Offence and Penalty Regulations , Consolidated Newfoundland and Labrador Regulation 10/96, are repealed.
24/26 s6
Back to Top
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
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
o n 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
Back to Top
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.
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
o n 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
Back to Top
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