Motorists are being asked not to drive on Highway 11 between North Bay and Temiskaming Shores.
It’s because of a forest fire near Temagami.
That fire has forced residents of about 20 homes between Finlayson Point Provincial Park and Jessie Lake to evacuate their homes.
People between Jessie Lake and the Lake Temagami Access Road are on alert and may be forced to leave if the forest fire worsens while Temagami homeowners face a voluntary evacuation.
Everyone is driving northbound on Highway 11 to avoid the nearby fire.
Although all highways remain open, Highway 11 North may be forced to shut down if the forest fire situation worsens.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry has called the fire that’s forced the evacuation, North Bay 69.
There’s no indication of its size but it’s not far from North Bay 42, a forest fire that’s 200 hectares large.
Also the MNRF has placed Northeastern Ontario under a restricted fire zone meaning no open burning of any kind and that includes campfires and burning brush or debris.
However portable gas or propane stoves for cooking and warmth are allowed.
There are more than 70 forest fires burning across the northeast with some out of control.