Fires & Smoke Still Issues as Restricted Fire Zone Expanded to Entire Fire Region of Ontario

Fires and related smoke continue causing problems across much of Canada and into the US, with air quality warnings persisting for many areas.

In Ontario, there were 55 forest fires earlier this afternoon - about two-fifths not under control - including the "Wawa 3" - or "Depew" - fire east of White River, which Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry still shows as "not under control", though it remains at 6678 hectares in size - an implementation order restricting travel near the blaze, though the Ministry says observed fire behaviour's typically low and "demobilization of structural protection equipment" is scheduled to begin tomorrow, as "the wildland fire threat decreases for the Town of White River".

A Restricted Fire Zone put in place at the start of the month's expanded to cover the province's entire fire region - zones 1 to 36 - banning open air burning and suspending burning permits, though portable gas or propane stoves may be used for cooking and warmth but must be handled with extreme caution.