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Forest Service increases fines for forest infractions

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

DENVER ” Fines for building, maintaining or using a campfire on U.S. Forest Service lands during a fire ban have shot up 1,200 percent under a new fine structure.

The fine now is $300, up from $25.

Gil Quintana, Special Agent in Charge for Rocky Mountain Region Law Enforcement and Investigations, said Thursday the previous 15-year-old fee structure didn’t provide enough deterrence for would be scofflaws.



U.S. District Court Judge Edward Notthingham recently approved the new fine structure.

Other examples of the new higher fees include: Damaging a road or trail, $300, up from $75; operating a motor vehicle in a prohibited area, $250; setting off fireworks, $200, up from $75.


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