The provincial government has made some substantial increases to the fines for violating the fire ban.

Premier John Hogan made the announcement during a news conference earlier today

The fines will start at a minimum of $50,000 and go as high as $150,000, and could include between six months and one year in prison.

Hogan states that it was “very clear” that the penalties needed to be higher, and he wants everyone to take the situation seriously. “I think it’s very clear that the size of the increases, and the penalties including imprisonment (show) that we mean business and we want people to listen and take this seriously.”

In terms of the fires that are burning, the Kingston fire in Conception Bay North is still very active and smokey, and has once again grown in size to 2,875 hectares, with most of the growth on the western side of the fire.

Hogan notes that work on fuel breaks on the southern edge near Perry’s Cove has been going well, and there are two breaks being constructed at about 1 km each.

The Holyrood fire has not grown and crews are working on hot spots.

The fire at Martin Lake grew slightly overnight, but remains at about 230 hectares. They are working on a fire break there as well at the northern side of Martin Lake and Great Rattling Brook.

Meanwhile, Hogan says more support is coming to help fight the fires from Quebec.

He says two new waterbombers will be coming tomorrow, and another two – plus a bird dog – will be arriving on Sunday. Hogan calls that a “massive increase” to the province’s air assets.