TEMAGAMI (Staff) – As dry conditions persist, so too does Temagami’s ban on large fires.

The Temagami and Marten River fire chiefs suspended all burning permits June 23.

The ban applies to all open burning larger than a campfire, said Temagami Fire Chief Jim Sanderson earlier this week.

Campfires are permitted, under certain conditions.

Chief Sanderson said tools to extinguish flames, for example, must be on hand, and any fire must be set back from property.

Campfires can be staged no earlier than two hours before sunset and must be extinguished within two hours after sunrise.

Chief Sanderson said the fire hazard remains high.

On July 1, “we got five millimetres and that’s it,” he said.

When the fire risk drops, he said all holders of burning permits will be contacted to inform them that the ban has been lifted.