Crews continue to fight a number of fires in Northwest Manitoba that initially began on Sunday.
An official with the Manitoba Wildfire Program tells CKDM an area up to 10,000 hectares has been affected by the blaze — covering a large area to the west, south, and north of Camperville and Pine Creek First Nation.
The effort to extinguish the fire is being challenged by high winds, as well as dry and hot weather conditions.
Early on Wednesday afternoon, Pine Creek First Nation Chief Karen Batson announced a State of Emergency.
Fire crews are using all available resources, including helicopters, specialty sprinkler kits, and water bombers stationed out of Swan River.
"We really do appreciate it because we need all the help we can get right now.”
Director of the province’s Wildfire Program David Schafer is reminding the public to know their role in reducing the risk of fire.
“It is extremely dry and windy. These fires, in the spring particularly, move faster than normal. So whatever people can do to limit their activities — don’t do any open burning — and be careful with everything. We really do appreciate it because we need all the help we can get right now.”
Manitoba Conservation and Climate reports the current risk of wildfire is high across southern and central regions of the province.
The province is now suspending all provincial burn permits issued under The Wildfires Act within the burning permit area.
Several municipalities have also followed suit and are issuing fire bans - including Mossey River, Ethelbert, and the RM of Lakeshore.
