Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship has cancelled all burning permits, implemented a fire ban and will not issue fireworks permits in the northwest region of the province, due to dry conditions and the high risk of forest fires. Fires will only be allowed in approved, enclosed pits in provincial parks and other locations between the hours of 8pm and 8am daily.
Four new wildfires started yesterday and were caused by lightning. Fire crews have successfully contained these new wildfires. Lightning is expected to start additional wildfires over the next several days.
Fire crews continue to work on several large wildfires in this region. Crews continue to work to contain a large wildfire in the Davidson Lake area using bulldozers and water bombers. Suppression activities also continue on large wildfires in the Kelsey Lake, Katimik Lake, Laurie River and Setting Lake areas.
There have been a total of 264 wildfires in Manitoba this season, which is slightly higher than the average of 255. Of these, 84 are still active.
No open burning is allowed without a permit between April 1 and Nov. 15. A number of municipalities may also have implemented fire restrictions. Manitobans are encouraged to check with local municipalities for the most up-to-date information on burning bans or other fire restrictions.
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.
To report a wildfire, contact local emergency services at 911 or the forest fire tip line (toll-free) at 1-800-782-0076. More information on current restrictions and wildfire prevention is available at www.gov.mb.ca/wildfire.
