Rain brings relief to air quality, but is it enough?
The rain that moved into the region Friday morning is welcome relief for many after days of high air pollution warnings.
Environment Canada issued a special statement earlier this week regarding wildfire smoke creating poor air quality and prompting health concerns, especially for the more vulnerable.
The national weather agency has since ended the special weather statement for southern Ontario.
The wet weather Friday is welcomed by fire officials as well after days of warnings about tinder-dry conditions capable of sparking out-of-control fires.
Despite the rain, most of Simcoe County and the entire District of Muskoka remain under a total fire ban.
"You need a nice steady flow of rain to help penetrate that earth and create that moisture as well to allow the material to grow back and become lush and green again," said Oro-Medonte Deputy Fire Chief Melanie Brown.
Officials remind residents to remain cautious, adding that even things like glass bottles can ignite material in extremely dry conditions.
The rain Friday is short-lived, ending by late morning, with sun and clouds in the forecast for the remainder of the day.
There is a 60 per cent chance of showers on Sunday and Monday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories

Trudeau confirms Rota meeting with House reps, cites need to 'ensure dignity' of Parliament
House of Commons Speaker Anthony Rota will be meeting with the House leaders of all parties today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has confirmed, telling reporters that he's sure 'they'll have very important conversations.' The meeting comes amid acrimony over Rota's recognition of a man who fought for a Nazi unit during the Second World War.
Poster advertising 'whites-only' children's playtime sparks outrage in B.C. community
Police have launched an investigation into a poster inviting "proud parents of European children" to participate in racially segregated playtime in B.C.'s Lower Mainland.
Developer says it's moving to build 5,000 rental units because of Liberals' GST break
A Toronto-based real estate company says it is planning to build 5,000 new rental units in urban centres across the country as a result of the federal government's decision to eliminate GST charges on rental developments.
No new oil, coal projects needed as fossil fuel demand to peak this decade: IEA
Even if no new government climate policies are introduced before 2030, global demand for fossil fuels will still peak before the end of the decade, a new report by the International Energy Agency states.
Arguments set to begin in Peter Nygard sex-assault case in Toronto
Arguments in the Toronto sexual-assault case against former Canadian fashion mogul Peter Nygard are expected to begin today.
These are the 5 headlines you should read this morning
House Speaker Anthony Rota is facing calls to resign, U.K. police announce an investigation into Russell Brand, and a new report says the world doesn't need any new oil and gas projects.
Canadian air force investigating 'inappropriate and unapproved' call sign broadcast on U.K. flight
The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) is investigating an ‘inappropriate and unapproved’ call sign that was transmitted electronically from one of its aircraft on Monday.
Spain charges pop singer Shakira with tax evasion for a second time and demands more than US$7 million
Spanish prosecutors have charged pop star Shakira with failing to pay 6.7 million euros in tax on her 2018 income, authorities said Tuesday, in Spain's latest fiscal allegations against the Colombian singer.
David McCallum, star of hit TV series 'The Man From U.N.C.L.E.' and 'NCIS,' dies at 90
Actor David McCallum, who became a teen heartthrob in the hit series 'The Man From U.N.C.L.E.' in the 1960s and was the eccentric medical examiner in the popular 'NCIS' 40 years later, has died. He was 90.