During an active fire ban this weekend, the La Broquerie Fire Department responded to several blazes, some of which fines are being issued for.
The fire ban in the RM currently does not allow for fires of any kind.
Chief of the department, JC Normandeau, says on Friday around 6 p.m., a civilian was burning a pile of branches and lost control of the flames.
On Saturday, he says three calls were made concerning people who had started bonfires. Normandeau says firefighters attended the locations, and requested they put them out.
That same day, he says another resident was found burning branches in their fire pits.
The next day, around 7:30 p.m., the chief says there was an intense brush fire around a shop and equipment.
He adds the blaze travelled north towards two separate wooded properties.
"Fortunately, we had no injuries and no lost structures in this weekend's mix of events," Normandeau says in a statement.
"People need to understand that making a fire in their pit at home is all good in the evening, but most of the time, that fire gets stirred up the next day with winds, and amber are found flying, causing spot fires to major bush fires around buildings," he adds.
"It's just better not to burn at all!"
He says $500 fines are being issued to some of those that, despite the ban, started fires.
Most other RMs in the area have also instituted fire bans of varying levels, in addition to provincial fire and travel restrictions, due to the hot, dry weather.
Fire chiefs for departments in the RM of Taché, Ste. Anne, and Reynolds say they did not report to fires over the weekend.
The RM of De Salaberry is implementing a level two fire ban starting at 12 a.m. on May 6.
"All issued burn permits are being revoked and no new permits will be issued until conditions improve," the RM says, noting this applies to outdoor fires involving burning of grass, crop residue and bushes.
The ban allows for barbeques and gas fire tables at any time. Bonfires are allowed in approved receptacles between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. and always be supervised. No open fires are allowed.
Residents are asked to use caution and not start a backyard fire in approved pits if wind exceeds 25 km/h.
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.