The revised fire ban put in effect for Sudbury and other northern Ontario municipalities remains in effect, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources.

The municipal fire ban is also still in effect, according to the city, and Greater Sudbury Fire Services will advise when it has been lifted.

The MNR ban also affects Espanola, Manitoulin Island, North Bay and Temagami. The order has been issued to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires.

Algonquin Park is also under a restricted fire zone order.

Ontario FireRangers had a welcome break on July 26, according to the MNR. There were just seven new fires confirmed in the province. There were no issues experienced with the new fires. This single-digit day allowed more crews to focus on existing fires. The number of active fires in the province has fallen below the century mark to 99.

New fire arrivals are expected to come in at manageable levels for the next several days. Up to 12 new fires are possible on today and up to 15 on July 28, according to the MNR. No major control issues are anticipated.

Recent weather has provided an assist to fire crews. Rain, cloud and falling temperatures have helped to moderate the fire hazard in several parts of the province. With far less lightning this week, the number of lightning-caused fires has begun to drop off; however, sunny skies and lower humidity across much of the province today and tomorrow will lead to good burning conditions through much of northern Ontario.

Existing fires in the Far North could begin to increase in activity, the MNR stated. Weather models show rain could arrive in the northwest region on July 29, which would help the fire hazard begin to moderate again.

Posted by Arron Pickard