Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives is reminding farmers wanting to burn stubble, straw and other crop residue of the provincial requirement for specific authorization prior to any burning.
Between now and Nov. 15, producers need authorization before burning crop residue. Authorizations are based on smoke dispersion conditions and specify where in the province and during which hours daytime burning of crop residue will be allowed.
Producers with land in municipalities surrounding the city of Winnipeg who wish to burn crop residue are required to obtain a permit prior to burning. Permit applications are available online or from any GO Office.
Night burning of crop residue, rights-of-way, ditches, native pastures and waste areas is banned
year-round.
Information on where and when burning will be authorized is available by calling the toll-free information line at 1-800-265-1233 or online. Service is available in French and English.
If burning is authorized for a particular area, farmers must:
• burn only within the hours specified for their area as identified on the toll-free telephone information line, online or by the conditions on the permit issued;
• ensure fires are supervised at all times;
• ensure areas being burned have been properly fire-guarded to prevent fires from spreading; and
• ensure smoke will not create a hazard to highway safety or to human health.
Enforcement of stubble burning regulations is carried out by Manitoba Conservation and the RCMP.
The fine for illegal burning under the Summary Convictions Act is $2,324. Under the Environment Act, the fine can be as high as $50,000. Complaints of illegal burning or hazardous conditions caused by stubble-burning smoke should be directed to district offices of Manitoba Conservation or the RCMP.
Manitoba’s controlled burning program is part of the Burning of Crop Residue and Non-crop Herbage Regulation with input from an advisory committee that includes representatives from the Manitoba Lung Association, concerned parents of children with asthma, the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, Manitoba Health and Healthy Living, and Keystone Agricultural Producers.
The program was introduced to protect public health and safety while allowing farmers to deal with difficult straw management problems.
