The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry is seeking the public’s help to identify the individuals responsible for starting a forest fire on an island on the Lake of the Woods.
The fire was discovered on the afternoon of Saturday, August, 4, on a small island northeast of Mather island on Lake of the Woods. The ministry noted that the located can only be accessed by boat.
The fire started in the vicinity of an area that individuals had used to build a camp fire. The fire was discovered by local fishermen, who reported the fire to the ministry’s fire management headquarters in Kenora. Fire crews with the MNRF attended the island to suppress the 0.1 hectare fire.
The ministry reminds the public that all forest fires are investigated to determine their cause. A person can be held responsible for the costs of extinguishing a forest fire, as well as for any property damage incurred. Anyone who starts a fire must keep it under control at all times and extinguish it properly before leaving the area.
To report information about this incident or another natural resources violation, call the MNRF TIPS line at 1-877-847-7667 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).
