A restricted fire zone (RFZ) that has been active in northwestern Ontario and a small part of the northeast since July 15 is scheduled to be lifted on Thursday morning. The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) intends to officially rescind the order at 12:01 a.m. ET.
During a restricted fire zone, all open-air burning, including campfires, is prohibited. Following the lifting of this restriction, individuals will be permitted to start fires no earlier than two hours before sunset and must extinguish them no later than two hours after sunrise. Nevertheless, certain municipalities, like Thunder Bay, have specific regulations regarding the timing of fires.
The MNR expresses gratitude to the province’s residents “for their efforts in preventing wildland fires and ensuring community safety.” The ministry urges caution and adherence to Ontario’s Outdoor Fires Regulations as stated on the provincial forest fire website.
“The province will monitor wildland fire hazard conditions continuously, and if the fire risk and activity necessitate it, an RFZ designation may be reinstated in high-risk areas.”
The restrictions were imposed at the peak of the region’s wildfire activity, resulting in over 2,800 individuals being evacuated from more than a dozen communities. Current figures indicate that slightly over 700 people are still under evacuation.
Approximately 110 wildfires are currently burning across the province, with seven remaining uncontrolled. With forest fire hazards significantly reduced, the evacuation and implementation orders for wildfires in Thunder Bay 36, Thunder Bay 56, Dryden 34, and Dryden 35 will also be lifted on Thursday at 9 a.m.
This will allow travel and access to roads and lakes in these regions, enabling more than 600 evacuees from Whitesand First Nation and Armstrong to return home officially.
Thunder Bay Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have announced increased police presence on Highway 527 and in Armstrong and Whitesand First Nation communities to facilitate the safe return of residents following the updates to the MNR’s orders.
Residents are advised to confirm with their local fire departments regarding the status of municipal fire bans in their areas. While Thunder Bay will lift its municipal fire ban upon the RFZ revocation, other communities may choose to maintain their bans.
Kevin Anderson, division chief of fire prevention at Thunder Bay Fire Rescue, emphasized that the wildfire season extends until October 31 and conditions can change rapidly. He highlighted the importance of caution and compliance with regulations to prevent wildfires.
Residents are reminded to check the interactive forest fire map online for the latest updates on active wildfires and fire hazards in Ontario.