Eastern/Central Regions:

The wildfire near Caddy Lake on the Manitoba/Ontario border is approximately 5,829 ha, of which, 3,893 ha are in Manitoba. Wildfire crews and heavy equipment continue suppression work on this wildfire. Good progress is being made. An Ontario Incident Management Team, with support from Manitoba, is the lead for suppression operations for this wildfire.

The wildfire east of Beresford Lake on the Manitoba/Ontario border has grown to approximately 73,480 ha, of which 12,421 ha are in Manitoba. A Manitoba Incident Management Team is in charge of the suppression efforts for this wildfire. They are working in concert with the Incident Management Team which is in charge of suppression operations of this wildfire on the Ontario side. Wildfire crews continue making good progress with suppression operations on this wildfire. A total of 35 firefighters from northern Manitoba are joining these suppression efforts today. An additional 20 firefighters from Nova Scotia will be coming to Manitoba on Friday to join the suppression efforts on this wildfire. Fire crews, the Office of the Fire Commissioner and Fire Department personnel continue to respond with sprinkler protection equipment for threatened structures in this area.

All mandatory evacuation orders are still in place.

For more information, contact the Eastern Region Office at 204-345-1444.

• Highway 312 from 1 kilometre east of Highway 44 (Big Island turn off) to Ontario border is closed.

• Travel restrictions remain in place for Areas 1, 2 and 3 in eastern Manitoba including the Mars Hill Wildlife Management area. Motorized back country travel is prohibited between the hours of noon to 7 pm in these areas and any travel outside of these set times must be under the authority of a travel permit issued at the discretion of a Conservation Officer.

• All burning permits are cancelled and no new permits will be issued for eastern Manitoba. No new permits will be issued until conditions improve.

• In Birds Hill Provincial Park the 8 pm to 8 am campfire restriction has now been lifted.

• The Mantario, Hunt Lake and McGillvray Falls hiking trails in Whiteshell Provincial Park remain closed until wildfire conditions improve.

The travel and burning permit restrictions for central and western Manitoba have now been lifted due to the cool wet conditions.

Please visit www.manitoba.ca/wildfire for a link to Wildfire Program’s restriction page for maps and notices for these areas.

Any questions about evacuations, restrictions and closures in the Eastern Region can be addressed by calling the Regional Office at 204-345-1444. All other questions can be answered by your local District Office.

Additional information on these restrictions and areas is available at www.gov.mb.ca/conservation/fire/Restrictions

General information:

Please exercise caution when in or near forested areas. In areas where ATV use is authorized, please remember to stay on developed trails, stop frequently to check areas around the engine and exhaust for debris and carefully dispose of any debris found. A small shovel, axe, and fire extinguisher should be carried with your ATV at all times.

Open fires are prohibited from April 1 to November 15 annually, except under a burning permit or in enclosed, approved fire pits such as grated campfire pits in provincial campsites. Activities in wooded areas involving fireworks or sky lanterns may also require written authorization during this time period in certain areas.

For information on required authorization or permits and restrictions, please contact your local Sustainable Development office. Municipalities often implement their own restrictions. Please check with your local municipal offices for further information on any local bans or restrictions.

A list of local Manitoba Sustainable Development offices is available at www.gov.mb.ca/conservation/wildlife/about/who

Up to date wildfire information and links is available at www.manitoba.ca/wildfire