ATV's, bonfires banned in parts of Manitoba due to wildfire risk

The province is warning travellers to avoid areas of Manitoba due to a higherthan normal wildfire risk.

Motorized travelsuch as the use of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) is prohibited between noon and 7 p.m. daily in southeastern Manitoba backcountry.

The boundary of the restricted area is from Manitoba Provincial Road 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, said a Wildfire Program of Manitoba Sustainable Development news release.

There are also burn bans in place in parts of eastern, central and western areas of the province, the release said.

The province has put restrictions on other activitiesas well, including a ban on camping in undeveloped camp areas and no backcountry travelin Spruce Woods Provincial Park and Spruce Woods Provincial Forest.

In Birds Hill Provincial Park, campfires are only allowed overnight in approved pits between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m.

In all other provincial parks; however,fires are permitted in approved pits with no additional restrictions.

For areas in Manitoba where ATV use is allowed,the province advised riders to stay on trails, ensure their ATVs haveworking spark arrestorsand that riders carry a fire extinguisher andcheck areas around the engine and exhaust frequently.

To report a wildfire, call 911 or the (toll-free) T.I.P. line at 1-800-782-0076.

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