Natural Resources
May 1, 2013
Permits Required During Official Forest Fire Season
Residents of Newfoundland and Labrador are reminded that permits to burn are
required as part of the regulations in effect during the official forest
fire season, which begins on the island on May 1 and in Labrador on May 15,
and extends into late September.
“Newfoundlanders and Labradorians love to spend time in the woods, camping,
fishing, hiking and enjoying the outdoors with family and friends,” said the
Honourable Tom Marshall, Minister of Natural Resources and Minister
Responsible for the Forestry and Agrifoods Agency. “To help ensure
residents, property, and resources remain safe, people are reminded to
exercise care and caution when in the woods, especially at this time of the
year.”
During forest fire season, a permit to burn is required at no cost for
lighting outdoor fires to clear land or burn brush within 300 metres of a
forest. Permits and regulations can be obtained at regional or district
forest management offices around the province. The lighting of fires for
cooking and camping does not require a permit, but certain forest fire
regulations must be followed.
Information on the forest fire season and regulations are available at
www.nr.gov.nl.ca/nr/forestry/fires/index.html
In 2012, the department’s fire suppression staff responded to 197 fires. The
department has seasonal forest firefighters stationed throughout the
province and a toll-free number is available to report forest fires during
forest fire season. The number is 1-866-709-FIRE(3473).
The Provincial Government operates a fleet of five waterbombers and four
light helicopters which are strategically situated around the province in
Gander, Deer Lake, St. John’s, Happy Valley-Goose Bay and Wabush, and are
available to respond should the need arise.
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Media contact:
Diana Quinton
Director of Communications
Department of Natural Resources
709-729-5282, 631-8155
dianaquinton@gov.nl.ca
2013 05 01
11:35 a.m.