Hot weather taxes firefighter resources

As warm, dry weather continues in Manitoba, the number of forest fires in the province — especially in the north — continues to climb.

More than 100 fires areburning across the province, 89 of them in the north. Eight fires are considered out of control.

Tom Mirus, head of Manitoba Conservation's fire program, says high temperatures and wind are taxing firefighters' resources.

"Hot, dry weather is certainly not in our favour, and even worse if there is any winds with it," he said.

"Winds are a real enemy of firefighting because they really push the fires and cause them to 'take off and run,' as we call it in the business."

Forecasters are calling for the high temperatures and dry conditions to continue in northern Manitoba for at least the next few days.

Communities not at risk

Most of the fires are burning between The Pas and Lynn Lake in northwestern Manitoba. The majority were started by lightning.

No communities are currently at risk because of the fires, Mirus said, but fire is threatening some local economies.

"One [fire] 40 kilometres south of Lynn Lake is threatening the power line there," he said. "And one about 40 kilometres north of Snow Lake is threatening a very valuable timber supply for [the lumber company] Tolko."

Ontario, N.S. send firefighters

About 400 firefighters are battling blazes between The Pas and Lynn Lake.

Another eight crews have been brought in from outside the province — seven from Ontario and one from Nova Scotia — although Mirus notes it's a difficult time to recruit outside resources.

"Some of the other provinces are so busy," Mirus said. "B.C. is very busy — they have just put in a large order for manpower and equipment. Saskatchewan is having a terrible time right now with communities being threatened and evacuations."

There have been more than 310 fires across Manitoba so far this year, compared with an average of 280 for this time of year.