Rural municipalities (RM) in the southeast are re-evaluating fire restrictions now that rain has touched the region.
JC Normandeau, fire chief for the RM of La Broquerie, says they're knocking restrictions down from level three—a complete ban—to level two.
That means fires are only allowed in approved receptacles, such as firepits, and no open fires are permitted.
"It is dry out there," he says. "It is still too crucial and dangerous out there, and there's just too many variables. That's why we're keeping it to a restricted fire receptacle. There's so much fuel out there, that it's too risky."
It's been an incredibly busy season for the department already, the fire chief says—far more than other years have been.
While the green outside, and rain, will help slow potential blazes, he says there are still signs the RM is not in the clear just yet. Especially once pollen starts floating around.
"I was on the road and I could see farmers working in the fields and the dust was still coming up. So it's still dry, and with the wind and sun we're going to get, it's going to be extremely dry," Normandeau says.
He notes that just because the fire restriction level has been lowered, doesn't mean residents' level of vigilance and diligence should be.
"They are 100 per cent liable for anything that happens," he explains. "So if they lose their fire and it goes into the field or the bush, and the fire department has to respond, they will be liable for the operating cost and fines."
"There's also provincial fines that could be implemented there as well," he says.
Paul Wiebe, fire chief for the RM of Hanover says his crews are also reassessing fire risks this week, and will make a decision regarding the current fire ban in the next couple of days.
After lowering its restrictions from level three to level two, the RM of Taché says it's reassessing whether restrictions should be lowered once again to level one.
Below is a list of fire restriction levels in various municipalities as of posting this article:
- RM of La Broquerie: Level two. This means fires are only permitted in approved receptacles. No open fires.
- RM of Ste. Anne: Level three. This means only enclosed fires with a cover are permitted.
- RM of Taché: Level two. This means fires are only allowed in approved receptables. No open-air fires.
- RM of De Salaberry: Level two. This allows the use of barbeques and gas fire tables, bonfires in approved receptacles between certain hours, and no open-air fires.
- RM of Stuartburn: Level two. This means fires are only allowed in approved fire pits, burn containers, and solid fuel burning appliances.
- RM of Piney: Complete fire ban.
- RM of Springfield: Level three. This means all fires are prohibited, though barbeques and fire tables are permitted.
- RM of Hanover: Open fire ban. This means only fires in approved receptacles are allowed.
- RM of Reynolds: Level three. This means all fires are prohibited.
- RM of Richot: Level three. This means all fires are prohibited.
- RM of Emerson-Franklin: Burn ban. This targets the intentional setting of fires in grass, brush, etc., and agricultural burning. Enclosed backyard fire pits are permitted.
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.
Normandeau reminds fire bans are in place to protect, not punish, residents.
"The last thing we want is to show up to a scene where we lose two or three houses, and then to find out there's people stuck in a house. We don't want to see that," he says. "We have to be very careful."
On that note, and considering the busy season, he says to be aware of emergency vehicles while travelling, and to move out of the way for them to pass.
This remains necessary during construction season.
Normandeau adds signs throughout the RM of La Broquerie indicate fire ban levels, and more information can be found on the RM of La Broquerie's website.