Grass and brush fires driven by high winds kept rural fire departments busy around southern Manitoba Wednesday.
With the help of crews from Kleefeld, New Bothwell and Grunthal, the Steinbach Fire Department knocked down a grass fire that scorched about 40 acres and came close to some houses and outbuildings over the noon hour in the RM of Hanover.
According to the fire chief in Steinbach, the fire started from somebody's bonfire and RCMP are investigating.
Before that blaze was even completely out, the assisting rural fire departments had to leave to battle a larger blaze near Grunthal.
That fire burned through tall grass fields, thick brush and piles of deadfall.
Crews focused their efforts trying to protect outbuildings and a house on a rural property where the owner told CTV News he was concerned about his sheep.
Due to thick smoke and lots of activity by firefighters he was unable to immediately check on the condition of his animals.
According to Environment Canada meteorologist Natalie Hazell, southern Manitoba has seen far less than the typical amount of precipitation since the fall of 2014.
A wind warning in effect for Wednesday called for gusts up to 90 km/h, and Hazell said the dry conditions combined with the high winds created the perfect conditions for wild fires.
The province also issued backcountry travel restrictions Wednesday.
"Effective immediately, all motorized off-road and backcountry travel is restricted daily between the hours of noon and 7 p.m. in an area from PR 302 east to the Ontario border and the Trans-Canada Highway south to the U.S. border," said the province.
The province had previously cancelled burning permits for eastern and central regions in Manitoba.
"Reporting of wildfires can be done through by contacting local emergency services at 911, or by contacting the forest fire tip line at 1-800-782-0076 (toll-free)," said the province.
More information on the backcountry travel ban is available on the province's website.
- with a report from Ben Miljure
