The Wildfire Program of Manitoba Sustainable Development advises warmer temperatures and dry conditions have increased the wildfire risk in some areas of the province. Travel restrictions have been put into place in addition to burning permit cancellations for the eastern, central and western areas of the province.
Motorized back-country travel is prohibited between noon and 7 p.m. daily in southeast Manitoba. The boundary of the restricted area is from PR 302 east to the Ontario border and from the U.S. border north to Lake Winnipeg and the Winnipeg River including the Mars Hill Wildlife Management Area.
For areas where ATV use is allowed, riders are reminded they can play a role in protecting against wildfires. Anyone using an ATV is asked to stay on developed trails, ensure the ATV has a working spark arrestor, check areas around the engine and exhaust frequently, and carefully remove and extinguish any debris from these areas. Operators are also reminded to be prepared by carrying a fire extinguisher, axe and shovel.
In addition, there are restrictions on activities in Spruce Woods Provincial Park and Spruce Woods Provincial Forest. This area also includes Camp Hughes and the Spruce Woods Wildlife Refuge near CFB Shilo. Restrictions include:
- allowing camping only in developed campgrounds;
- restricting launching and landing boats to developed shorelines; and
- having no back-country travel or remote cottage access unless approved by a travel permit, which is issued at the discretion of the local conservation officer.
In Birds Hill Provincial Park, campfires will only be allowed in the approved pits between the hours of 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. In all other provincial parks, campfires are permitted in approved pits with no additional restrictions.
For additional information on these restrictions, contact the nearest Manitoba Sustainable Development office. To report a wildfire, call 911 or the (toll-free) T.I.P. line at 1-800-782-0076. For further general information on fire restrictions go to www.gov.mb.ca/conservation/fire/Restrictions.
