Large part of Ontario now under provincial fire ban
A large part of Ontario is under a provincial fire ban due to high risk of forest fires.
As of June 1, most northeastern and northwestern regions of the province have been placed within a Restricted Fire Zone (RFZ), meaning that open fires and the burning of grass or debris are temporarily banned. The idea, officials say, is to prevent human-caused fires at a time in which dry conditions and little precipitation could help the flames spread.
“The chances of wildland fire starting, whether its nature caused or human caused, is much more likely to happen,” Amy Peltonen, a fire information officer with the Aviation Forest Fire and Emergency Services branch of the Ministry of Natural Resources, told CTV News Toronto.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
According to provincial data, there is an extreme danger of forest fires in central and northeastern Ontario, from just north of Sault Ste. Marie all the way to Belleville.
The risks are considered “high” in the Thunder Bay area before dropping to a “moderate” risk further west. A region near Thunder Bay and some of northern Ontario, the risks are considered “high” to “moderate.”
As of around 2 p.m., about a dozen new and active forest fires were reported.
“Right now, we are actually kind of on par for what we've seen compared to last year,” Peltonen said. “So we're not seeing necessarily a bad fire season at this point.
An interactive map shows Ontario's Restricted Fire Zone as of June 1, 2023.
Peltonen added that current and forecasted wildfires are being “continuously and carefully monitored.”
“Generally, Ontarians don't need to be concerned.”
So far this year, Ontario has reported 78 forest fires in total compared to the 77 fires reported within a similar time frame in 2022.
The provincial 10-year average is about 140 fires.
WHAT DOES BEING WITHIN A RESTRICTED FIRE ZONE MEAN?
Property owners living within these areas should try to keep their lawns mowed and watered, move wood piles and other flammable materials away from structures, and keep conifer trees pruned.
Propane gas or propane stoves may be used but officials warn they should be handled with extreme caution.
A large number of Ontario’s parks have reported fire bans, which means that campers cannot use fire pits, charcoal barbecues or candles.
A list of parks included in the ban can be found on the Ontario Parks website. It includes a number of large parks such as Algonquin, Arrowhead, and Killarney.
There are more than 200 wildfires burning across Canada, officials said Thursday. The government says that so far the blazes have torn through about 27,000 square kilometres of land compared to the 10-year average of 500 square kilometres.
Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner says that Ontarians should brace for a “severe fire season that will once again damage buildings, decimate communities and force many people to evacuate their homes.”
He called on the Doug Ford government to take action on climate change and provide funding for infrastructure while also stopping his plans to expand fossil gas plants.
“The hot weather is just getting started and already forest fires are raging across northern Ontario, while multiple communities sit under extreme fire warning,” he said in a statement.
“This is a matter of environmental injustice. Doug Ford needs to wake up and take action on the climate emergency.”
With files from the Canadian Press.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Documents reveal Ottawa's efforts to get Loblaw, Walmart on board with grocery code
It was evident to the federal government as early as last fall that Loblaw and Walmart might be holdouts to the grocery code of conduct, jeopardizing the project's success.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.
'I just want to be safe': Ukrainian man in Canada faces limbo amid consular freeze
A recent decision to restrict consular services for fighting-aged Ukrainian men has made a Ukrainian man in Canada feel less certain of his next steps — and worried he could be pulled back to the war.
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Dozens of U.S. deaths reveal risks of injecting sedatives into people restrained by police
The practice of giving sedatives to people detained by police has spread quietly across the U.S. over the last 15 years, built on questionable science and backed by police-aligned experts, an investigation led by The Associated Press has found.