Restrictions are loosening around a Chapleau area forest fire.
Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry says travel, use, and access restrictions around the "Chapleau 3" fire - located two kilometres south of October Lake and 2.5 kilometres west of Vichaw Lake - were lifted as of 7 o'clock Wednesday morning.
The 3916 hectare blaze and the 1229 hectare "Chapleau 6" fire - located 2.5 kilometres west of Morin Lake and one kilometre east of Bolkow Lake - were reclassified as "being held" on Monday, though neither fire has grown in nearly four weeks.
Less positive news on the fire front for the northeast overall - as seven more were confirmed in the Cochrane sector, bringing the number "active" in the northeast up to 35 - while the northwest also saw an increase, to 55 - the fire hazard is moderate to high for most of the north.
The Restricted Fire Zone banning open air burning remains in place for the entire fire region of Ontario.