Fire Bulletin #3

Press Release

May 8, 2025

The Manitoba Wildfire Service advises that Level 1 fire and travel restrictions will increase to a complete ban of all motorized backcountry travel at 8 a.m. on Friday, May 9. Due to the lack of significant precipitation and rising temperatures, high fire danger continues to persist in the southeast and Interlake regions. Manitobans and visitors are urged to exercise caution and comply with all posted restrictions to prevent wildfire.

Areas 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 8 are affected. These restrictions include the following provincial parks: Whiteshell, Spruce Woods, Beaudry, St. Ambroise Beach, Stephenfield, Birds Hill, Lake St. Andrews and Lake St. George. The boundary of the restricted area is from Provincial Road (PR) 302 to Provincial Trunk Highway (PTH) 12 to PR 317 to PTH 59 and PR 319 east to the Ontario border and from the U.S. border north to Lake Winnipeg and the Winnipeg River including the Mars Hill Wildlife Management Area. Refer to the areas of the fire and travel restriction map found at: www.gov.mb.ca/conservation_fire/Restrictions/index.html.

Level 1 fire and travel restrictions include:

• total ban of all motorized backcountry travel including ATVs and other off-road vehicles during all hours;
• all fires prohibited between the hours 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Fires outside of these hours must be in an approved campfire pit;
• all motorized backcountry travel to access a remote cottage via forestry road, private road or trail will require a travel permit issued by Natural Resources and Indigenous Futures; and
• industry and outfitters should contact local Natural Resources and Indigenous Futures offices for more information.

As a further wildfire prevention measure, provincial burn permits issued under the Wildfires Act in the eastern and Interlake regions are cancelled and will not be issued until fire danger conditions improve. Burn permits for essential agricultural, municipal or industrial operations may be considered with the approval of an officer and will include a site inspection with strict conditions. Contact a Department of Natural Resources and Indigenous Futures office for more information. Further restrictions may be implemented if the fire danger levels increase or conditions change significantly.  Failure to comply with the listed restrictions may result in prosecution under the Manitoba Wildfires Act with fines of up to $100,000 depending on the severity of the offence.

Many municipalities have proactively implemented burning restrictions this spring, so check with the local municipal office or view the interactive burning restrictions map at: www.manitoba.ca/wildfire/burn_conditions.html for more information. No burning permits will be issued for areas within or bordering any municipality where burning restrictions are already in place, and permits are required for fireworks and sky lanterns from April 1 to Nov. 15.

For further information on the Manitoba Wildfire Service, situation updates, restrictions and other important wildfire links, go to www.gov.mb.ca/wildfire/ or follow the Manitoba government on X (formerly Twitter) at https://twitter.com/mbgov.

To report a wildfire, call 911 or the TIP line toll-free at 1-800-782-0076.

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For more information:

• Public information, contact Manitoba Government Inquiry: mgi@gov.mb.ca or 1-866-626-4862 or 204-945-3744.
• Media requests for general information, contact Communications and Engagement: newsroom@gov.mb.ca.
• Media requests for ministerial comment, contact Cabinet Communications: cabcom@manitoba.ca.

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