A resident of Norway was fined $3,750 for violations relating to a restricted fire zone.

Michael Dibley, of Nøtterøy, pleaded guilty and was fined $3,000 for lighting a fire in a restricted fire zone and $750 for depositing material into a lake.

Court heard that on Aug. 3, a Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry conservation officer responded to a complaint about someone lighting a fire at a cottage on Little Chiblow Lake, north of Iron Bridge. A restricted fire zone prohibiting fires throughout Northeastern Ontario had been in place for more than three weeks.

An investigation determined that Dibley had started two large fires at his cottage to burn wood and debris from a recently demolished cottage. He also used an excavator to push one of the fires into the lake to extinguish it.

Justice of the peace Diane Lafleur heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Blind River, on Sept.19.

The ministry reminds the public that outdoor fires are prohibited when a restricted fire zone is in place. This is to prevent campfires or other human-made fires from accidentally causing forest fires during extended periods of hot, dry conditions.

To report a natural resources violation, call the ministry’s TIPS line at 1-877-847-7667 toll-free any time or contact your local ministry office during regular business hours. You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Visit Ontario.ca/mnrftips to view an interactive, searchable map of unsolved cases.