By Jasmine Franklin
Tending a fire without a permit, or anyone who sets a fire that runs out of control through negligence will be faced with harsher penalties now that Ponoka County has passed an amended fire bylaw.
“The amended bylaw better reflects the issues we have today,” said Charlie Cutforth, Ponoka County’s chief administrative officer. “The penalties are only applicable to those who negligently let a fire get away or don’t have a permit.”
Changes are as follows: for those applicable to the penalties on the first offence will be charged with a $300 fine and $200 on a second offence. Each penalty was increased by $100 from the previous bylaw.
Jail time was eliminated from the bylaw but firefighting costs were also changed from $350 to $500 for the first hour and an extra $150 per hour every hour after.