Wildfires are plaguing communities in southeastern Manitoba.

STATE OF EMERGENCY IN RURAL MUNICIPALITY OF PINEY

In the Rural Municipality of Piney, fire crews have taken to the sky to put out a nine kilometre long fire close to the community of Badger.

Officials said they declared a state of emergency Monday so they can go onto private property and install sprinkler systems without homeowners’ permission.

They are also monitoring winds and considering evacuations based on conditions and firefighting efforts.

As of Monday at 6 p.m. no evacuation orders had been issued.

“The RM is currently working with Manitoba Emergency Management Organization, Manitoba Sustainable Development and the Office of the Fire Commissioner in

coordinating firefighting efforts in the Carrick, Badger and Florze area,” a news released said.

Piney officials said one fire has already consumed more than 1,000 hectares.

Manitoba Sustainable Development said Monday it’s prepared to fight the dry and windy conditions across southeastern Manitoba.

The department said there are several travel restrictions and fire bans in place.

This means no off-road hiking or ATVing. People are being asked not to burn anything.

Several roads have been closed due to smoke. Motorists are encouraged to call 511 for the latest information.

HOME RAVAGED BY FIRE IN RURAL MUNICIPALITY OF LA BROQUERIE

On Sunday homeowners in the same area fought back flames to protect their homes from grass fires.

In the community of Zhoda, about 100 kilometres southeast of Winnipeg, Jim Swidersky, 53, tells CTV News he lost everything except the clothes on his back.

Swidersky, who is also the Reeve of the Rural Municipality of Stuartburn said he first noticed a fire coming towards his house looking out his kitchen window.

“How come it's so grey and brown,” he said.

Swidersky called 911 and pulled out his garden hose to trying and stop the flames but within minutes the fire was at his doorstep.

“It sounded like a freight train.”

After the fire burnt the hydro line he said he lost water and couldn’t stop the fire from overtaking the house.

He didn’t sleep Sunday night and planned to meet with his insurance company Monday.

Swidersky said the local fire department told him other homes in the area are damaged form the fire but his is the only that was destroyed.

“One time we're going to lose to lives. It's gotta stop,” he said.

On Monday a fire in the Rural Municipality of La Broquerie flared up. Firefighters fought a blaze south of La Broquerie near provincial road 302, the department said.

La Broquerie’s fire department said it’s been tough at times to keep up.

“With 80 kilometre winds, someone lights a match, it’s very unfortunate, the best we can do is just keep fighting this blaze, and hope for the best,” said Jean-Claude Normandeau, deputy fire chief with the La Broquerie fire department.

OVERNIGHT FIRE IN THE RURAL MUNICIPALITY OF EMERSON-FRANKLIN

In the Rural Municipality of Emerson-Franklin about 15 firefighters battled a grass fire near the town of Emerson, few kilometres west of Highway 59.

Safety officer Jay Ihme said it broke out around 6 p.m. and firefighters stayed on scene for about 12 hours.

He said between 60 and 100 acres burned, but no property was lost.

“It was a long night,” he said.

He said Monday around 10:30 a.m. the situation appeared to be staying under control.

“So far, so good. The wind has gone down,” he said.

Ihme said with dry and windy conditions fires can flare up even if people were burning something a few days ago.

“The word has to get out that people can’t burn anything when there’s a fire ban. We need to be able to fine people larger amounts,” Reeve Greg Janzen told CTV News Monday.