Windy, dry conditions force cancellation of Manitoba burning permits

The Manitoba government has cancelledall current burning permits because of a higher risk of wildfires due to dry and windy conditions.

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The cancellation affects all burning permits issued in eastern and central Manitoba,including the Interlake,Gypsumville and Berens River, and includes areas extending to the United States and Ontario borders.

There is one helicopter on standby for the three active fires in Manitoba. So far this year there has been eight wildfires, which adds up to 94 hectares burned.

Rural municipalitiesmay impose further restrictions as they are more in tune with localized issues or conditions.

At 2 p.m.Tuesday, the Rural Municipality of Brokenhead enacted a fire ban in the area, including the Local Urban District of Tyndall-Garson, until further notice due to the higher risk of wildfires.

Brokenhead officials also warned residents to be cautious when operating machinery, all-terrain vehicles and power tools to prevent fires.

The burn ban affects farmers who prepare their fields for a new growing season with controlled burns of crop residue and old bales of hay.

"You postpone a few projects. If you got some cleanup to do that requires fire, you just wait," said Don Doerksen, a third-generation farmer in the Rural Municipality of Ritchot.

Fire officials are concerned that a grass fire can spread out of control, like it did in the Stuartburn and Vita areas in 2012.

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In both cases, homes were evacuated while firefighters and water bombers fought back the flames.

The province said the current ban does not include approved fire pits at home andin campgrounds.

As well, the province has not banned the use of ATVs at this point, but fire officials are urging drivers to be careful and ensure their engine and exhaust systems are clean.

"The peat moss and the grass that you would have on your exhaust system gets really hot and dry and then catches fire and then sets fire to the forest," said Alain Nadeau, the fire chief in La Broquerie, Man.

Permits will be cancelled until conditions improve. Anyone with questions about when they can burn again should contact the nearest Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship office, orlocal municipal offices.