Northern Ontario couple may face fines for wildfire rescue efforts

A couple in northwestern Ontario who lost their resort to wildfires now faces potential fines for their efforts to document and fight the blaze. Jenny and Kevin VanderHooft, owners of Open Bay Lodge in Upsala, reported a fire on July 12, but their lodge burned down two days later.

Upon returning to their property on July 17, while an evacuation order was still in effect, they found their house destroyed but seven of their eight cabins standing. The couple spent nine hours using basic tools like five-gallon pails and a garbage bin to extinguish smoldering remnants.

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Power lines down in our yard. Everything was burnt. The house is gone.

Jenny VanderHooft's decision to fly a drone to assess approaching fires has drawn the attention of Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR). The ministry stated that the drone footage, posted online, contravened Canadian Aviation Regulations. Transport Canada prohibits drone flights within 9.3 kilometers of wildfires due to the serious risk of collision with firefighting aircraft, which can force crews to ground operations.

Kevin VanderHooft also reported being approached by MNR officials on the highway and told he could face fines exceeding $800 for returning to the property. The ministry confirmed an investigation into the couple's situation is active but declined to comment on specific circumstances. Penalties for unauthorized drone operation in restricted areas can reach up to $5,000 for individuals and $25,000 for corporations, with multiple penalties possible for repeated offenses.

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It took us nine hours. Just the two of us. No food, no water, no nothing. We just went at it.