The combination of a dry forest and a forecast that includes little to no rain has prompted the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry to implement a Restricted Fire Zone in the Kenora, Fort Frances and Dryden Districts, and southern portions of Sioux Lookout and Red Lake Districts.
The restricted fire zone comes into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, June 30, and bans most outdoor fires.
In most cases, this includes grass, debris, and campfires, even when using an outdoor fire grate, fireplace or fire pit. Portable gas stoves may still be used BUT must be handled with extreme care.
It is a temporary measure put in place to prevent human-caused fires when the fire hazard is extreme or when firefighting resources are limited.
As of Tuesday evening, there were 41 active fires in the region. 11 fires are not under control, two fires are being held, 12 are being observed and 16 fires are under control.
The forest fire hazard remains high to extreme across the region.