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 removed on Thursday morning. The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) is planning to officially cancel the order at 12:01 a.m. ET. During a restricted fire zone, all open-air burning, including campfires, is prohibited. Once lifted, 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. However, specific regulations on fire ignition times may apply in certain municipalities such as Thunder Bay.
The MNR is expressing gratitude to the people in the province for their efforts in preventing wildland fires and ensuring community safety. The ministry is advising individuals to exercise extreme caution and adhere to Ontario’s Outdoor Fires Regulations as stated on the provincial forest fire website. The possibility of reinstating an RFZ designation in high-risk areas remains under consideration based on fire hazard and activity levels.
The fire restrictions were imposed during the peak of wildfire activity in the region, leading to the displacement of over 2,800 individuals from multiple communities. Current figures from the province indicate that slightly more than 700 people are still under evacuation. Approximately 110 wildfires are currently burning in Ontario, with seven of them remaining uncontained.
As forest fire risks have significantly diminished, the evacuation and implementation orders for wildfires known as Thunder Bay 36, Thunder Bay 56, Dryden 34, and Dryden 35 will be lifted on Thursday at 9 a.m. This will allow travel and access to roads and lakes in these areas, enabling more than 600 evacuees from Whitesand First Nation and Armstrong to return home.
Thunder Bay Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have announced increased police presence on Highway 527 and in Armstrong and Whitesand First Nation to assist residents in safely returning home after the MNR’s orders are updated. Thunder Bay residents will be able to resume lighting fires as the restricted fire zone and local fire ban are removed.
Kevin Anderson, division chief of fire prevention at Thunder Bay Fire Rescue, mentioned that Thunder Bay will lift its municipal fire ban following the removal of the RFZ on Thursday. However, other communities may opt to maintain their fire bans. Residents are advised to check with their local fire departments for information on ongoing municipal fire bans.
Anderson emphasized that although temperatures have returned to normal after reaching 40 degrees Celsius earlier in the summer, there has been a gradual increase in temperatures over the years. He cautioned that the wildfire season extends until October 31 and emphasized the importance of remaining vigilant as conditions can change rapidly.
Residents are urged to continue practicing safe burning practices and to be aware of any municipal fire bans that may still be in effect. The interactive forest fire map online provides real-time updates on active wildfires and forest fire hazards in Ontario.