The season started slowly with the first fires in mid-May in the agricultural and interface zones. Cool, damp conditions and late thaw kept fire activity low. The first lightning fires were in early June; hot, dry windy conditions, June 2-12, brought new starts and erratic fire behaviour to all Regions.

On June 9, a fire near Spruce Woods Provincial Park burned 2,100 ha which crews battled with air tankers, bulldozers, helicopters, and water tankers. Two Park trails were closed as a precaution. Hot, dry south winds and lack of natural fuel breaks were the largest factors hampering quick suppression. The fire was contained on June 12 and wet conditions on June 16 ended the season's largest single event. On August 7, a large lightning event in the north started 50 fires in 24 hours. Temperatures between 30 - 35 celsius with strong winds made suppression difficult.

A new Wildfires Act was enacted, proclaimed on January 1, and will be implemented in 1998.

Safety Officers and Aircraft Management Officers were attached to all fire teams to ensure aircraft and fireline procedures are followed. Shoulder harnesses will become mandatory in 1998 for all helicopters; all contract helicopters currently have shoulder harnesses. Two medium helicopter contracts were upgraded from Bell 204s to Bell 205s, enhancing initial attack capability.

The new national lightning location system was delivered by Environment Canada. However, early technical problems required reactivation of the old system to meet the need for lightning information. During the winter, the Program integrated the new Environment Canada system with its display network to enable retirement of the old system.

Extensive training took place with courses provided on fire management, aircraft and fireline safety, Emergency Firefighter certification, Radio Operator certification, fire investigation, and Sector Boss training. Air Attack Officers had the opportunity to attend out-of-province courses such as Air Tactical Group Supervisory course at Grand Rapids, Minnesota, and Air Attack Officer Level I at Hinton, Alberta. A fire administration course is planned for spring 1998 to certify all clerical staff involved with fire. Standardized fitness tests were implemented as employment requirement for initial attack crews.

The provincial Forest Fire Equipment Committee developed a plan for managing all aspects of firesuppression equipment. The plan covers such areas as equipment standards, purchasing and procurement, research and development, establishment levels, training communications, and computer programs for shipping, receiving, and inventory. The plan will be completed in three to five years and will significantly reduce costs through standardization and internal equipment relocation instead of new purchases.

A video, Into the Fire, produced with Manitoba Natural Resource Officers Association, depicts firefighting from detection through suppression. It also shows the activities of support staff. The video was dedicated to three firefighters who lost their lives in the 1995 helicopter crash at Leaf Rapids.

Manitoba was appointed to chair the Prevention Committee of the Great Lakes Forest Fire Compact. Eastern Region continued its annual fire prevention poster contest, including tours of the Regional fire cache, with artwork, books, and plaques for prizes.

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