travel ban in place / evac notices for fires.

[garyh]

Well due to strong winds today the fire east of St.Malo has started up again. There is another fire near Vita which they have now evac'd the residents and moved them to Steinbach. The fire that started near Richer is now threating the town of Ross and they have started evacuating the town.

There is now a travel ban in the east and south east parts of the province. I'll post RM's as I get them.

[garyh]

Sounds like the bombers have been called for the Ross fire. St.Malo fire in contained but not under control. This maybe the fire effecting the town of Vita.

[camoman]

The back country travel Ban as of right now is east of 302 (Richer) to Ontario boarder and south of Trans Canada to US Boarder.

[Rayzur]

New Travel Restrictions
Introduced

The Office of the Fire Commissioner, Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship, and the Manitoba Emergency Measures Organization continue to support municipalities and fire departments with fires in southeast Manitoba.

Hot, dry conditions and high winds are driving grass and brush fires in several areas including fires near the communities of St. Malo, Richer, Milner Ridge and Vita. Non-essential personnel are asked to avoid these areas as conditions are changing quickly.

Municipal and provincial staff are also working with the municipalities of Grahamdale and St. Laurent to address fires.

The community of Vita issued an evacuation order earlier today. Area residents are being directed to a reception centre in Steinbach. The bridge west of the community has burned and there is no access from the west on PR 201.

Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship is providing three water bombers to address the fires near Vita and Richer. Two water bombers from Ontario are also providing assistance.

The department is also introducing backcountry travel restrictions in the eastern region effective immediately. This includes the area east of PR 302 to the Ontario border and south of the TransCanada Highway to the U.S. border. Backcountry travel is now allowed by permit only.

Burning permits were cancelled on Sept. 30. No new permits will be issued. All forest, mining and quarry operations will only be allowed to operate by permit. Campfires, including those in provincial parks, will only be allowed from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. in approved fire pits. For information on the travel restrictions, contact the local Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship office or call 1-204-345-1444.

Under these travel restrictions:

* backcountry travel, including hiking and all-terrain vehicles, will not be permitted;

* canoeing and boating will be restricted to developed shorelines for landing/launching;

* camping will only be allowed in developed campgrounds; and

* aircraft will only be permitted to use lakes with developed shorelines or docks.

Manitobans with questions or concerns about the effects of smoke can contact their health-care provider or call Health Links-Info Santé at 204-788-8200 or 1-888-315-9257 (toll-free).

More information on the health effects of smoke is available at:
http://www.gov.mb.ca/health/publiche...lth/smoke.html.

Cottagers, hikers, residents and other travellers are advised to keep a close eye on local conditions and be prepared to leave quickly if smoke or fire conditions change.

Motorists are advised to check for road closures before heading out. The latest information on road conditions is available any time toll-free at 511, at www.mb511.ca or by following the Twitter account @MBGovRoads.

For more information, see www.manitoba.ca/wildfire

[SwitchAssault800]

I believe I just saw a bomber leave the airport. Big ol yellow plane

[garyh]

They have lifted the evac notice for most of the Vita residents. But some farmer houses have been lost. Sad to hear. Thankfully no lose of life. Ross is still under threat and residents are asked to report to Ste.Genieve Comm Hall. Another bail fire west of Giroux just south of the 311 is still on fire and the farm builds are it.

[Nozzleweed]

Sorry don't know my PR roads off by heart. Looking to go camping in Woodridge. Would this include Woodridge?

[garyh]

Originally Posted by Nozzleweed

Sorry don't know my PR roads off by heart. Looking to go camping in Woodridge. Would this include Woodridge?

Yes it would include the Woodridge area. If you check the Atv.Mb website or Steinbach on line website it explains it pretty good.

[Fat Cat]

Originally Posted by Nozzleweed

Sorry don't know my PR roads off by heart. Looking to go camping in Woodridge. Would this include Woodridge?

woodridge is on pr210. back wood travel ban in place campground still open hope it rains this week. I'm going out just can't go riding. Thanks giving long weekend beer butt chicken on the BBQ. YUM YUM

[Nozzleweed]

Wow. We had a group of at least 30 going to Woodridge for the long weekend. Did that ever just mess up the plans for a lot of people. I know its for all the right reason but that sucks.

[Fat Cat]

Originally Posted by Nozzleweed

Wow. We had a group of at least 30 going to Woodridge for the long weekend. Did that ever just mess up the plans for a lot of people. I know its for all the right reason but that sucks.

go out and do a rain dance. We need it.

[garyh]

Yep no riding out there this weekend. Man I hope they get the Ross fire under control. Most of Vita residents are allowed home but they still got to get that fire out. Rain is needed big time. But I'm sure they won't open the back country anytime soon until we get a lot of rain. Look at last years wild fires out there.

[GIBBIES]

Thanks for the post.

[Quadingmaniac]

What about the Seddens area near beausajour? We were going to ride Saturday


All Out Team Nasty!!!!

[Oerlikon80]

Just got home from the St. Malo fire we didn't get any air support though we REALLY need it! The fire was jumping mile roads like nothing luckily the RM helped with dozers, graders, and some farm tractors with discs and plows to make fire breaks, but yeah we really need rain step on some spiders for us and do a rain dance. It's bad.

[garyh]

Originally Posted by Oerlikon80

Just got home from the St. Malo fire we didn't get any air support though we REALLY need it! The fire was jumping mile roads like nothing luckily the RM helped with dozers, graders, and some farm tractors with discs and plows to make fire breaks, but yeah we really need rain step on some spiders for us and do a rain dance. It's bad.

Thanks for all your hard work with your crew. It's dangerous work fighting fires , glad you all made it back safe. Cheers.

[garyh]

Originally Posted by Quadingmaniac

What about the Seddens area near beausajour? We were going to ride Saturday


All Out Team Nasty!!!!

Not sure how far north of Ross the ban is. I would image the cut off line might be just near Seddon's. Probably the 44 going east of Beaujour. Not sure if they will extend it further north ? Best check the MB conservation website during the next few days for changes.

[gasguzzler]

got one last ride in today in sandilands and woodridge. sure was a lot of trees down on the trails. prob the last ride til snow.

[garyh]

Well looks like the Ross residents are allowed to go home now. They still have a good size fire east of town and the Vita fire is some what under control now. Still fighting hots spots. With the forcast now calling for rain ( thank god ) changing to snow in the southeast and Northern Ontario for 10-30 cm ( even waaaaaay ) better !!!! That will help put out the fires I'm sure.

As for the travel ban I'm sure it will remain in effect until they see how much rain /snow falls. Let's hope it comes and the fires are out , and the ban gets lifted !

[Duke_Of_URL]

Yep it's looking good. Forecast for Vita is 20-30 mm of rain tonight and 10-20 cm of snow tomorrow.

I hate rain and snow, but I hate seeing the forest burn down even more than that... so this one time I will cheer for them because they are going to help out all the firefighters.