Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship and the Office of the Fire Commissioner advise that dry, warm and windy conditions have increased the fire risk in southern areas of the province and backcountry travel restrictions are now in place in southeastern Manitoba.
Local fire departments and Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship crews have responded to a number of serious wildfire incidents in the province already this week. Effective immediately, all motorized off-road and backcountry travel is restricted daily between the hours of noon and 7 p.m. in an area from PR 302 east to the Ontario border and the Trans-Canada Highway south to the U.S. border. These restrictions do not include the Whiteshell Provincial Park.
A number of municipalities have implemented burning bans and more are expected to do so in the coming days. Check with local municipalities for the most up-to-date information on burning bans or other fire restrictions.
Manitobans are reminded that all burning permits issued in the eastern and central regions of the province have been cancelled due to dry conditions and the continued high winds forecast. This affects an area extending from the United States border on the south, through the Interlake to Gypsumville, and Berens River in the north and east to the Ontario border.
No open burning is allowed without a permit between April 1 and Nov. 15, and all current permits are cancelled until conditions improve.
Manitobans should:
- respect any burning bans put in place by their municipality or community;
- avoid any controlled burning if possible but, if required and authorized with permits, take precautions to ensure fires are controlled at all times;
- be careful with any off-road travel by all-terrain vehicles or other motorized vehicles and stay on developed trails; and
- report any forest or grass fires immediately.
Reporting of wildfires can be done through by contacting local emergency services at 911, or by contacting the forest fire tip line at 1-800-782-0076 (toll-free). More information on fire prevention is available at www.gov.mb.ca/wildfire.
