Fire caused by burning cardboard in First Nation under control as Manitoba brings in wildfire restrictions
Province says new rules starting Friday include ban on motorized backcountry travel amid risk in certain areas
An Interlake First Nation declared a state of emergency this week over the threat of a grass fire police say was caused by someone burning cardboard, as the provincial government enacts restrictions meant to reduce wildfire risk across Manitoba amid rising temperatures and lack of significant rain.
Cornell McLean, chief of Lake Manitoba First Nation and chair of the Interlake Reserves Tribal Council, said the fire that started Wednesday threatened about 16 homes and required help from fire departments in the communities of Ashern, Eriksdale and Pinaymootang First Nation.
"It started very small, but got very big, very quick," McLean said in an interview Thursday, estimating the fire grew to about 200 hectares. "It's very dry right now.… Very, very dry. We need some moisture and some rain and, you know, hopefully Mother Nature listens to us and it provides that."
McLean said by Thursday the fire was under control, and crews were just putting out hot spots. The community wasn't forced to evacuate, but it did open up its band hall for members with breathing problems.
Manitoba RCMP confirmed their Ashern detachment responded to a call about a grass fire in Lake Manitoba First Nation around 9 p.m. Wednesday, which a spokesperson said was caused by a man from the community burning cardboard when it got out of control. The 55-year-old was charged with arson and mischief over $5,000 and released pending a court date, Cpl. Melanie Roussel said in an email Thursday.
The Interlake Reserves Tribal Council said Wednesday it was adding Lake Manitoba First Nation to its recent declaration of a state of emergency in response to wildfire threat, which McLean said Thursday he expected to be lifted later in the day.
The council had previously declared a state of emergency on Monday as wildfires threatened the communities of Peguis First Nation, Kinonjeoshtegon First Nation and part of Pinaymootang First Nation, but said Thursday those communities now have their fires under control.
Manitoba has detected more than 60 wildfires so far this year, said Glenn Miller, acting director of the Manitoba Wildfire Service. While wildfires this time of year are sometimes started by lightning, all the fires detected in Manitoba at this point have been caused by people, he said.
"I want to emphasize it doesn't mean it's arson or things like that — it could be through machinery, mechanical, motorized vehicles, accidental," Miller told reporters Thursday.
"When we use the term 'human-caused,' it's very broad and it's not necessarily arson — but arson can be at play, for sure."
While most fires have been put out or are being held, several are still burning out of control, as hot, dry conditions combined with high winds cause some blazes to spread rapidly, particularly in grassy areas.
Miller said eastern Manitoba is the "biggest area of concern" for the wildfire service, in part because it had less snow this winter compared to the western and northern parts of the province. The Interlake region is also a concern, he said.
New restrictions coming
The Manitoba Wildfire Service also announced a list of new restrictions starting Friday morning, including a ban on all motorized backcountry travel in response to a high danger of fire in the province's southeast and Interlake regions.
Those changes are scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. Friday as part of the province's Level 1 fire and travel restrictions, the Manitoba Wildfire Service said in a news release Thursday. They affect areas 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 8, which include the following provincial parks:
- Whiteshell.
- Spruce Woods.
- Beaudry.
- St. Ambroise Beach.
- Stephenfield.
- Birds Hill.
- Lake St. Andrews.
- Lake St. George.
A map of the affected area is available on the province's website.
The Level 1 fire and travel restrictions include a total ban of all motorized backcountry travel, including ATVs and other off-road vehicles, during all hours. The province said there will also be a ban on fires between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., and fires outside of those hours must be in an approved campfire pit.
All motorized backcountry travel to access remote cottages via a forestry road, private road or trail will also require a travel permit issued by Natural Resources and Indigenous Futures. Industry and outfitters should contact that department's local offices for more information, the province said.
The province urged people to exercise caution and comply with all posted restrictions to prevent wildfires. Failure to comply could result in prosecution under the Manitoba Wildfires Act with fines of up to $100,000 depending on the severity of the offence.
Provincial burn permits issued under the Wildfires Act in the eastern and Interlake regions are also cancelled, and will not be issued until fire danger conditions improve, the province said. However, 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.
Many municipalities have also implemented their own burning restrictions this spring, the province said, urging people to check with their local municipal office or view the interactive burning restrictions map. 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, the province said.
More restrictions could still be brought in if fire danger levels increase or if conditions change significantly, the province said.
The wildfire service's Miller said there's no complete ban on backcountry travel being brought in yet in Manitoba, but the province's wildfire restrictions are revisited weekly and could change if there isn't enough precipitation.
"I would hate to give a number," he said. "But we need a good rain."
With files from Josh Crabb