An illegal fire in the parking lot of the Valley of the Five Lakes will cost a man $150 after he plead guilty to the crime in Jasper Provincial Court, July 13.
According to the Crown, on May 8 Parks Canada received a dispatch for the fire around 8 p.m.
Upon arrival, a park warden found people sitting around a large bonfire on the pavement of the parking lot and thick black smoke could be seen blowing into the trees. Across the highway the warden also saw a black bear grazing nearby.
When the warden arrived the accused began to put out the fire and admitted they were planning on camping there for the night.
The warden warned them not to camp there because it would be illegal.
Dylan Harvey took responsibility for the bonfire and was issued a ticket by the warden.
Prior to sentencing Judge D.C. Norheim said what concerned him most was whether or not the fire caused any damage to the pavement.
The Crown provided the judge with photos from the scene, which showed that the fire didn’t cause any damage and it was located in a gravel area.
Despite asking for a $300 fine, Norheim fined the man $150.
“I think this is an appropriate case for a lower than normal fine. The only thing that is truly contrary to the parks regulations is that you have to have a permit for almost everything in the park, aside from that there was really no harm done,” said Norheim.
Paul Clarke
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