Province wide fire ban in Ontario has been lifted.

Canada is experiencing an unprecedented wildfire season, with officials predicting a continued high risk throughout the summer this year alone.

In the province of Ontario, the number of forest fires recorded this year has reached 424, surpassing the count during the same period in 2022 by over threefold. It is worth noting that the province’s 10-year average for a wildfire season stands at approximately 338.

In early June, the Ontario government implemented a measure to protect the province from devastating wildfires by declaring a Restricted Fire Zone (RFZ), encompassing the majority of the region. This proactive step aimed to prohibit open fires, as well as the burning of grass or debris, due to the ongoing wildfires that were wreaking havoc across the province.

The primary objective of this ban, as stated by officials, was to prevent fires caused by human activities. Given the dry conditions and minimal rainfall during that period, such measures were crucial in curbing the potential spread of flames.

Despite the presence of 82 reported wildfires throughout Ontario, the ban on open fires and burning of grass or debris was officially lifted at 4 p.m. on July 11.