A restricted fire zone (RFZ) that has been enforced in northwestern Ontario and a small part of the northeast since July 15 is scheduled to be lifted on Thursday morning. Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) is planning to officially rescind the order at 12:01 a.m. ET.
During the time the RFZ was in effect, open-air burning, including campfires, was prohibited. Following the lifting of the zone, people will be permitted to start fires no earlier than two hours before sunset and must extinguish them no later than two hours after sunrise. However, certain municipalities, such as Thunder Bay, have specific regulations regarding the timing of fires.
The MNR expressed gratitude to the residents of the province for their efforts in preventing wildland fires and ensuring community safety. The ministry emphasized the importance of exercising extreme caution and complying with Ontario’s Outdoor Fires Regulations as stated on the provincial forest fire website.
While the restrictions were put in place during the peak of the region’s wildfire activity, leading to the displacement of over 2,800 individuals from numerous communities, the current figures indicate that around 700 people are still under evacuation.
About 110 wildfires are currently burning across the province, with seven of them still not under control. As the forest fire hazards have significantly decreased, the evacuation and implementation orders around wildfires such as Thunder Bay 36, Thunder Bay 56, Dryden 34, and Dryden 35 will also be lifted on Thursday at 9 a.m.
This development will allow travel and the use of roads and lakes in these areas, enabling more than 600 evacuees from Whitesand First Nation and Armstrong to return home. The Thunder Bay Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) announced an increased police presence on Highway 527 and in the communities of Armstrong and Whitesand First Nation to facilitate the safe return of residents.
Kevin Anderson, the division chief of fire prevention at Thunder Bay Fire Rescue, mentioned that Thunder Bay will lift its municipal fire ban in alignment with the revocation of the RFZ. However, other communities may opt to maintain their fire bans, and residents are advised to check with their local fire departments for updates.
Anderson emphasized that the wildfire season continues until October 31 and that vigilance is essential, as conditions can change rapidly. Despite recent rainfall improving conditions, caution is still advised to prevent wildfires.
For residents in Thunder Bay, fires will be permitted between 5 p.m. and midnight starting Thursday, provided that individuals have a fire permit and maintain a safe distance from combustibles. The interactive forest fire map online provides the latest information on active wildfires and forest fire hazards in Ontario.