Cooler temperatures, high humidity, fog and some rain helped with firefighting efforts on the Conception Bay North Shore yesterday.

The hottest part of the nearly 11,000 hectare fire is in the southwestern corner, and improvement was seen with a water bomber working the area, while ground crews concentrated on hot spots.

Rain overnight and a chance of showers today bodes well for firefighting activity today.

In the meantime, the fire at Paddy’s Pond is now “being held” – a status change that was helped by heavy rain yesterday and continued work by ground crews.

Forty millimeters of rain in central Newfoundland on Monday and continued rain and showers through the day yesterday was good news for efforts to contain the Martin Lake fire, however it remains active, burning deep into the thick forest floor. Significant firefighting efforts in the Rushy Pond cabin area has reduced the fire risk there, allowing Crown lands officials into the area to assess any structural damage.

The temporary ban on the use of off-road vehicles in forested areas that are at high, very high, or extreme risk of fire, will be reassessed tonight.

The ban, imposed last week, was extended for a few more days on the weekend thanks to continued dry conditions in many parts of the province.

The ban’s extension is until 11:59 tonight.