Burn ban lifted for Whitby permit holders

Whitby residents with a burn permit can now get back out to the campfire as the town has lifted its burn ban.

Whitby Fire and Emergency Services lifted the ban on June 15, a little more than a week after it was put in place in reaction to the heavy smoke from forest fires in Northern Ontario and Quebec.

The day the ban was enacted saw the worst air quality Ontario had ever seen as more than 150 fires sent smoke billowing across the province and the United States. However, Durham Region did not get the worst of the effects with the air quality there listed as moderate to high.

Durham’s northern communities were the first to issue bans through the morning on June 7. Ajax, Oshawa and Whitby enacted similar bans later that afternoon.

However, with the smoke’s passing, Whitby has lifted its ban for residents who have a valid burn permit. Rural residential fire permits are available online for $80 plus tax.