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 Thursday morning. Ontario’s 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. However, specific regulations on fire ignition times may apply in certain municipalities like Thunder Bay.
The MNR expresses gratitude to the people in the province 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 restrictions were imposed at the peak of the region’s wildfire activity, resulting in over 2,800 individuals being displaced from more than a dozen communities. Current figures indicate that over 700 individuals are still under evacuation.
Approximately 110 wildfires are currently active across the province, with seven of them remaining uncontrolled. As the forest fire risks have significantly decreased, the evacuation and implementation orders for wildfires in areas like 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, road usage, and access to lakes in these regions, enabling more than 600 evacuees from Whitesand First Nation and Armstrong to return home. Thunder Bay Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have announced increased presence on Highway 527 and in Armstrong and Whitesand First Nation to facilitate the safe return of residents.
Residents are advised to confirm with their local fire departments regarding any remaining municipal fire bans. Despite a return to normal temperatures following previous extreme heat, precautions should still be taken as the wildfire season extends until Oct. 31.
For the rest of the summer, fires in Thunder Bay will be permitted between 5 p.m. and midnight, subject to having a fire permit and maintaining a safe distance from combustibles. The interactive forest fire map online provides up-to-date details on active wildfires and fire hazards in Ontario.
