In partnership with the Association of Manitoba Municipalities (AMM), Infrastructure Minister Ron Schuler and Steinbach Mayor Chris Goertzen, president of AMM, the province has developed new roadside burning ban signs for provincial and municipal roadways.
“We encourage all municipal governments to move to this new sign when alerting the public that burning bans are in place as safety measures,” said Schuler. “This concept emerged from the AMM and is a great example of co-operation between governments.”
In the past, municipalities have used a variety of signs at the side of the road to alert residents to the ban. The uniform-look signs convey the necessary message to passing motorists in a less distracting manner, and will support online and other methods of notifications, the minister noted.
“Fire bans are common throughout Manitoba during the summer months,” said Goertzen. “We are pleased to have worked in partnership with the provincial government to develop consistent signage which, in turn, may help increase compliance with the bans.”
The initiative was first proposed in 2015, when officials from the RM of Stuartburn sponsored an AMM resolution calling for standardized signage. The Highway Traffic Board approved the design for the fire ban sign, which is now legal for posting on all roads in Manitoba.
“This consistent signage marks a vast improvement in public information with the goal of greater compliance and less risk to our natural resources, infrastructure and lives,” said Reeve Jim Swidersky, RM of Stuartburn.
