City of Winnipeg bans all open fires, fireworks, charcoal and wood-burning barbecues

Put away your firewood, Winnipeg.

The City of Winnipegis imposing a wide range of fire restrictions, including a ban on all open fires, fireworks and even some barbecues, due to the extreme fire danger.

The restrictions came into effectas of 6 p.m. Wednesday, and will remain in place untilJuly 28 at 6 p.m., the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service said in a Wednesday afternoon news release.

"During times of dry and windy weather, outdoor fires can quickly become very dangerous because they can spread rapidly,"Chief John Lane said in the release.

Theban meansWinnipeggers cannot engage in the following activities, even if a permit has previously been issued:

• Open fires.
• Backyard fire pits.
• Fireworks.
• Fire pits in parks.
• The use of solid fuel-burning appliances, including charcoal and wood-burning barbecues.

Propane and gas barbecues and fire tables are allowed, but should be used with caution, the fire-paramedic servicesays. More information on the bans can be found on the city's website.

Existing permits are suspended, and no new permits will be issued for the duration of the fire ban, the release says.

Anyone who breaks these orders could face a $500 fine under theNeighbourhood Liveability By-law.

Anyone who sees a fire should call 911but toreportrestricted activities during a fire ban, Winnipeggers are asked to contact 311.

Meanwhile, there are a number of fire and travel restrictionsin place across the province due to the extreme fire danger.

As of Wednesday, there's a full fire ban in effect in most provincial parks, with only a few exceptions.

Campfires arepermitted between8 p.m. and 8 a.m. only, and must be in approved pits, inBakers Narrows, Bell Lake, Clearwater Lake, Duck Mountain, Grass River, Little Limestone Lake, North Steeprock Lake, Overflowing River, Primrose, Rocky Lake, Wekusko Falls and Whitefish Lake provincial parks, the province says.

Fires are permitted anytime in approved fire pits in Colvin Lake, Nueltin Lake, Caribou River, Numaykoos Lake and Sand Lakes.

They're not allowed at all in any other province park.

The latest restrictions come as the province sees a continued stretch of dry and hot weather.

At least two Manitoba rural municipalities havedeclared a state of agricultural disaster in the past weekfollowing a season of relentless heat, record-breaking temperatures and drought.