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New Wildfire Act and Wildfire Regulation fines

Last updated on May 12, 2023

On April 1, 2016, increased fines for a variety of wildfire-related violation tickets came into force. British Columbia now has some of the highest wildfire-related violation ticket fines in Canada.

The B.C. government has taken a tougher stand on irresponsible behaviour that contributes to increased wildfire risks, in an effort to protect communities, natural resources and infrastructure from wildfire damage.

Wildfire Act violation ticket fines:

  • Section 2, Fail to report fire: $383

  • Section 3 (1), Drop, release or mishandle burning substance: $575

  • Section 3 (2), Fail to extinguish burning substance: $575

  • Section 5 (1), Light, fuel or use fire against regulations: $1,150

  • Section 5 (2) (a), Fail to extinguish fire: $575

  • Section 5 (2) (b), Fail to report fire: $575

  • Section 6 (1), Light, fuel or use fire against regulations, industrial: $1,150

  • Section 7 (1), Fail to assess fire hazard: $767

  • Section 7 (2), Fail to abate fire hazard: $1,150

  • Section 7 (4), Fail to comply with hazard abatement order: $1,150

  • Section 10 (3), Light, fuel or use fire against restriction: $1,150

  • Section 10 (4), Fail to comply with fire restriction: $1,150

  • Section 11 (2), Fail to comply with restricted area requirements: $1,150

  • Section 12 (2), Fail to comply with order restricting activity or use: $1,150

  • Section 13 (2), Fail to comply with order to leave area: $1,150

  • Section 16 (2), Fail to comply with fire control order: $575

  • Section 22 (2), Fail to stop vehicle or vessel: $575

  • Section 22 (3), Fail to provide documents: $383

  • Section 56 (2), Intentional interference, non-compliance or false statement: $1,150

Wildfire Regulation violation ticket fines:

  • Section 5, Fail to have sufficient fire tools: $307

  • Section 6 (3), Fail to comply with high risk activity restrictions, and keep at activity site firefighting hand tools and adequate fire suppression system: $460

  • Section 6 (4), Fail to meet fire watcher requirements: $460

  • Section 8, Operate engine contrary to regulations: $460

  • Section 9, Fail to meet fire prevention measures – railway operations: $767

  • Section 10, Fail to meet fire prevention measures – transmission operations: $767

  • Section 13 (1), Fail to meet fire suppression responsibilities: $307