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 southeast Manitoba.
Effective immediately, all motorized off-road and backcountry travel is prohibited daily between the hours of noon and 7 p.m. in an area from the U.S. border north to the Winnipeg River, as well as in the Mars Hill Wildlife Management Area near Libau. These restrictions also apply to backcountry travel on Crown lands within three miles of and including the Spruce Woods Provincial Forest and Spruce Woods 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;
- 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 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.
