DRYDEN, Ont. — "We'll have to wait and see." That's what the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry is saying about prospects for rescinding the Restricted Fire Zone that was declared over much of northwestern Ontario on August 15.
All open burning is banned in a broad swath between Nipigon and the Manitoba boundary.
The MNRF reported that between 10 and 40 mm of rain fell from Sunday night to Monday morning at different locations across the southern half of the region, although the far north received much less.
"We're monitoring the situation and reviewing the requirement for the Restricted Fire Zone," a spokesperson said Monday afternoon.
Despite the fact the rain reduced the region-wide fire hazard to "low," the ministry is taking a cautious approach because of the potential for lightning fires in areas where moisture levels in the soil are still lower than desirable.
The spokesperson noted that after a day or two of drying, there's still the potential for a quick rebound in the fire hazard.
He said MNRF officials will wait to see how weather conditions develop over the next few days before considering any revocation of the fire ban.
As of Sunday evening, there were still 62 active fires in northwestern Ontario, including 15 new ones that were discovered Sunday.
