A Hall Lake man has been ordered to pay more than $41,000 for intentionally starting several fires in northern Saskatchewan two years ago.

Donald Halkett Jr. was originally charged with arson, but pleaded guilty Nov. 6 to the lesser charge of mischief. He also pleaded guilty to failing to comply with a fire ban.

The province said in a news release the 22-year-old confessed to conservation officers to flicking lit wooden matches into the forest as he was walking along a trail near Hall Lake, west of La Ronge, on July 4, 2015.

“It’s unwarranted behaviour that could lead to something catastrophic,” Steve Roberts, the executive director of Wildfire Management, said.

Four separate fires were set, according to the province. They were quickly contained by fire crews.

Halkett received a six-month conditional sentence — with conditions including a curfew, not to consume or possess alcohol, 100 hours of community service and a $100 surcharge — on the mischief charge. He also received a $250 fine for starting a fire during a fire ban, and he has been ordered to pay $41,392.83 in restitution for the cost of fighting the fire.

“I hope our resources are able to provide support to the family and the community,” Lac La Ronge Indian Band Chief Tammy Cook-Searson said.

The province said anyone who lights a fire will be held responsible for all resulting damages and firefighting costs.