The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) is implementing a Restricted Fire Zone (RFZ) effective at midnight Wednesday.
The MNRF says it covers the ministry’s northeast and northwest regions and part of the southern region. That includes our area of the province, along with the district of Hearst, Cochrane, Kapuskasing, Chapleau, Wawa, Timmins/Kirkland Lake, Sault Ste Marie, Blind River, Sudbury, North Bay, Minden, Parry Sound, Bracebridge, Pembroke, a northern portion of the Peterborough/Bancroft District, and the southeastern portion of the Far North District.
Officials say under an RFZ “no open air burning, including campfires, is permitted within the boundaries of a Restricted Fire Zone. Portable gas or propane stoves may be used for cooking and warmth BUT must be handled with extreme caution. All burning permits are suspended.”
The RFZ will be in effect until further notice.
That’s from the provincial government. Officials say an RFZ is different from a fire ban, issued by the municipality.
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*** with files from Bob McIntyre
