News release
Wildfire Investigation Ends With No Charges
Natural Resources
wildfires
Department of Natural Resources staff member Mark Shaw works to put out fires in the Upper Tantallon area May 30, 2023. (Province of Nova Scotia / File)
After exhausting all possible avenues, the Province is unable to lay charges in relation to the 2023 wildfire in Upper Tantallon/Hammonds Plains.
The Department of Natural Resources has two years from the date of an offence to lay charges under the Forests Act. Charges are only laid if there is sufficient evidence to secure a conviction. There is a high bar for what can be used as evidence in court.
Quick Facts:
- the Department cannot lay criminal charges under the Forests Act
- people convicted of violations of the Forests Act can be fined up to $500,000 and/or face up to six months in prison
- the wildfire in Upper Tantallon/Hammonds Plains began May 28, 2023, and burned 969 hectares
Additional Resources:
Forests Act: https://nslegislature.ca/sites/default/files/legc/statutes/forests.pdf
Department of Natural Resources on X: https://x.com/NS_DNR