North Hastings Fire Chief supports increased forest fire fines

Fines for starting a forest fire in the North Hastings and Madawaska Valley areas have gone up.

In an attempt to prevent man-made forest fires, the province says people who start one in the area can now be fined up to $25,000, while businesses could have to pay up to $500,000.

North Hastings Fire Chief Pat Hoover says you might also have to pay for more than just the fine.

Hoover says he supports the increased fines, but that education is an even better tool in preventing forest fires in the first place.

The province says about half of all forest fires are started by people, and can cause a considerable risk to public safety and expensive property damage.