Stuartburn wildfire under control, for now

Crews worked through the night to bring a wildfire under control in the Rural Municipality of Stuartburn.

The provincial fire commissioner's office and Manitoba Conservation helped douse the fire, which grew Thursday to about 240 hectares (600 acres) in size.

The local reeve, Jim Swidersky, said firefighters and volunteers worked non-stop. Up to 160 people were moved from the area as fire departments from LaBroquerie, Vita, Piney and Dominion City fought the blaze.

"We had a little shot of rain overnight and there is alot of smouldering fire out there right now," Swidersky said Friday.

Swidersky says he's almost certain the fire, just south of the vilage of Zhoda, was caused by humans.

He warned local residents they should not burn garbage or grass until the dry season is over.

"No burning, period," he said. "I know alot of people think they can get away with burning their garbage in a barrel; all it takes is one little spark and it is gone."