In addition to provincial fire and travel restrictions that became effective Friday morning, the RM of Stuartburn, RM of Piney, RM of Ste. Anne, RM of Taché, and RM of La Broquerie have all instituted their own burn bans.
An interactive map of municipalities implementing fire bans in the province, including details on what their restrictions include, can be found at manitoba.ca/wildfire.
RM of Taché
In the RM of Taché, level two restrictions are effective immediately.
Allan Rau, chief of the RM's fire department, says these were implemented after reviewing the Wildland Weather Service site, and provincial sources regarding wildland fires.
"The fine fuel moisture content of the grass and debris that's on the ground is getting very, very dry," he says.
"Because we have grassland and some wildland in our northeastern section, we felt it was prudent—because of the nice weather coming up, and possible winds—that we implement this ban so we can protect life and property," he says.
The ban means fires are only allowed in approved receptacles, with no open-air fires allowed.
Rau urges people to hold to the restrictions, noting how quickly conditions can change and fire spreads.
"When a wildland fire starts up, and if there is any wind, and if it's very red or brown and dry, that fire moves extremely rapidly. Sometimes it's too fast for firefighting crews to stay ahead of it, and it just engulfs anything in its path," he says.
"If individuals can't escape quickly enough, then there's a problem we could encounter of losing structures, losing life, or injuries."
If someone does contravene the restrictions, the fire chief says the fire department will go to the location and speak with those involved.
Depending on the severity, negligence level, and number of offences, he says fines could be levied.
Rau says changing the restriction level will rely on how much moisture the area gets, and how much green is on the ground.
RM of Stuartburn
Starting Saturday (May 3), the RM of Stuartburn is also implementing level two restrictions.
It says, "This only allows for fires in approved fire pits, burn containers and solid fuel burning appliances."
RM of Ste. Anne
A level three ban is effective immediately in the RM of Ste. Anne.
In a Facebook post, the RM directed residents to observe Fire By-Law #2024-10 for details on the fire ban, noting only enclosed fires with a cover are permitted.
RM of La Broquerie
In the RM of La Broquerie a level three ban came into effect at 8 a.m. on Friday. This means no fires of any kind, including burn barrels and fire pits.
The RM says it will reassess the level of the restriction on Monday, and make changes as seen fit.
RM of Piney
The RM of Piney states that a burn ban is in effect for all open fires, with only recreational fires in compliant pits permitted.
In a notice posted on its website, the RM says, "should provincial restrictions still be in place, the strictest restrictions will apply to the RM of Piney."