Betty Sawatsky

The Manitoba Wildfire Service, the Office of the Fire Commissioner (OFC), Manitoba Emergency Management Organization (EMO) and the Manitoba Fire Service continue to respond to a significant number of active fires in the area around Flin Flon and The Pas. There is extreme fire behaviour in the area caused by drought conditions and high winds.

As of this afternoon, fire WE010 near Flin Flon is approximately 31,600 hectares (ha) and continues to impact the cottage subdivisions of Sourdough Bay, Whitefish Lake, Twin Lakes, Schist Lake North and Cranberry Portage.

The Manitoba Wildfire Service, the Office of the Fire Commissioner (OFC), Manitoba Emergency Management Organization (EMO) and the Manitoba Fire Service continue to respond to a significant number of active fires in the area around Flin Flon and The Pas. There is extreme fire behaviour in the area caused by drought conditions and high winds.

As of this afternoon, fire WE010 near Flin Flon is approximately 31,600 hectares (ha) and continues to impact the cottage subdivisions of Sourdough Bay, Whitefish Lake, Twin Lakes, Schist Lake North and Cranberry Portage.

Wednesdays announcement of Chronic Wasting Disease documented in a white-tailed deer harvested in the Winkler area has hunters feeling nervous. However, this case is the anomaly as to what's been documented thus far.

For the new year, the Provincial Exhibition team is looking at their upcoming events, which always have a strong agriculture focus, but they also recognize that the ag industry is changing. 

General Manager, Mark Humphries, says one of their goals going forward is to keep up with the many changes while they plan the Royal Winter Fair, Ag Ex, and even the Summer Fair.

For the new year, the Provincial Exhibition team is looking at their upcoming events, which always have a strong agriculture focus, but they also recognize that the ag industry is changing. 

General Manager, Mark Humphries, says one of their goals going forward is to keep up with the many changes while they plan the Royal Winter Fair, Ag Ex, and even the Summer Fair. 

Looking out across the landscape, the addition of snow is a welcome site for snowmobilers, but more importantly for farmers who remember all too well the dry growing conditions of 2023. 

“I hope to see at least 2 feet of snow to bring up our moisture reserves because we can certainly handle it,” shares Scott Chalmers, Applied Research Specialist for Manitoba Agriculture, working in the Melita area. 

Looking out across the landscape, the addition of snow is a welcome site for snowmobilers, but more importantly for farmers who remember all too well the dry growing conditions of 2023. 

“I hope to see at least 2 feet of snow to bring up our moisture reserves because we can certainly handle it,” shares Scott Chalmers, Applied Research Specialist for Manitoba Agriculture, working in the Melita area. 

The Canadian Foodgrains Bank saw 2023 as a celebration year as they reached their 40th milestone, having grown to supporting food security projects in over 30 countries around the world.  Close to 2/3 of these are humanitarian and emergency relief.

"The Canadian Foodgrains Bank started in 1983," shares Manitoba Regional Rep Gordon Janzen. "So, here we are 40 years later!"

Ag in the Classroom Manitoba (AITC-M) is hosting their ThinkAG Career Fair next week at the Portage Collegiate Institute where students can learn about employment and post-secondary education in Canada's Ag industry.

ThinkAG Career Fair puts a spotlight on the entire Ag industry and all the other industries that are linked to it, including technology, marketing, grain producing, cattle producing, machining, GPS technology, veterinary services, chemistry, the list goes on!

Update - Minnedosa RCMP looking for missing male

Minnedosa RCMP, along with RCMP Major Crime Services, continue to investigate the disappearance of 55-year-old Jamie Wade.

RCMP units, including Search and Rescue (SAR) and Police Dog Services (PDS), have conducted a preliminary search with negative results. Further intensified searches are currently being planned.