DRYDEN, Ont. — Rain has dropped the forest fire hazard in parts of Northwestern Ontario that have experienced the worst fire rate in the province this summer.
But the Aviation, Forest Fires and Emergency Services agency gave no hint Monday whether the lifting of a season-long ban on all outdoor burning is about to be lifted.
The hazard in much of the Northwest is now low or moderate.
Exceptions include parts of the Thunder Bay and Nipigon districts where it is high.
Over a week ago, the Restricted Fire Zone was lifted only in parts of the Nipigon and Wawa districts.
AFFES spokesperson Jonathan Scott said in an interview Monday that Thunder Bay and areas to the east have received much less rain in recent days than areas to the west.
"Right now, the RFZ remains in place. We'll be monitoring the situation as we go forward," Scott said.
More than 200 firefighters and support personnel from other provinces, Mexico and Australia remain on duty in the Northwest region.
Three new fires were discovered in the region on Sunday, leaving 87 fires still burning.
There are 10 fires still active in Quetico Provincial Park, where a ban on backcountry travel and camping was announced last Tuesday.
Just offshore from Thunder Bay, the U.S. National Parks Service has closed several areas to the public due to a 200-acre fire and ongoing drought conditions at the northeastern end of Isle Royale National Park.
The fire, located near the shore of Duncan Bay, was started by lightning.
At last report it was being monitored by park staff.
