Strong winds whip up woes around Manitoba

Environment Canada issued wind warnings for Winnipeg and surrounding areas on Wednesday morning.

Speeds reached up to 88 km/h.

Shortly before 3:30 p.m., Environment Canada lifted the wind warnings.

In Winnipeg, the winds lifted shingles of people's roofs and posed challenges for firefighters battling blazes.

North Dakota also issued a no-travel advisory due to visibility Wednesday afternoon, but it was later lifted.

West of Winnipeg, cars disappeared into clouds of dirt and smoke on Highway 2 near Starbuck.

The City of Winnipeg said open burning or open fires are banned due to the extremely dry and windy conditions. The city said open fires aren't allowed any time wind speeds exceed 25 km/h.

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  Firefighters work to put out a blaze and prevent it from spreading in high winds on April 15, 2015 in Winnipeg at a scrap yard at Ryan and Logan.

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  Wind kicks up dust south of Oakville in the RM of Portage la Prairie as parts of Manitoba were under a wind warning the morning of April 15, 2015. (Photo from Vi Siemens)