Ottawa man who caused 2023 wildfire fined $35K

An Ottawa resident has pleaded guilty to failing to control a fire in the Calabogie, Ont., area in June 2023 that spread froman island to the mainland, forcing the evacuation of nearby homes and cottages.

Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources said in a news release Friday that Wassim Zaibakwas ordered to pay the province $35,000 to partially compensate it for the costof fighting the fire.

"Conservation officers determined Zaibak caused the fire" June 4 on a private island on Centennial Lake, the ministry said. Zaibakpleaded guilty under the province's Forest Fires Prevention Act.

At its peak, the wildfire grew to around 45 hectares in size, or nearly triple the size of Ottawa's Lansdowne Park.

The fire was considered under control by June 9, but it burned for several more days.

A provincial burn ban was in place for the area, which is about 50 kilometres west of Calabogie and 170 kilometres west of downtown Ottawa.