THUNDER BAY — The Ontario government has made a slight modification to the restricted fire zone that was declared over much of Northwestern Ontario at the end of June.
As of the weekend, the ban on outdoor fires no longer applies to portions of the Nipigon and Wawa districts.
But it is still in effect in Thunder Bay (excluding Wabakimi Provincial Park), Dryden, Kenora, and Fort Frances districts, and in the southern portions of Sioux Lookout and Red Lake districts.
Only portable gas stoves may be used.
The fire ban was originally imposed on June 30 in western parts of the region. Thunder Bay and portions of the Nipigon and Wawa districts were added to the exclusion zone on July 9.
As of Monday afternoon, the province's Aviation, Forest Fires and Emergency Services agency reported 111 active fires across Northwestern Ontario, including 10 new fires discovered on Sunday.
Sixteen fires are not under control.
The forest fire hazard is high to extreme in most of the Northwest.
