No fireworks allowed in northwest part of Manitoba due to dry conditions
Province seeing more wildfires this year over last
Just in time for Canada Day, the province has cancelled all burning permits, put a fire ban in place, and will not issue any permits for fireworks in the northwest region of Manitoba.
There will be no fireworks for The Pas, Flin Flon, and Cranberry Portage on Canada's birthday.
It's due to the dry conditions and the high risk of forest fires, the province said in a news release.
Fires will only be allowed in approved, enclosed pits in provincial parks and other locations between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m.
The province said four new wildfires that started Monday were caused by lightning.
They have been contained but more lightning and more wildfires are expected over the next several days.
Crews are still working on a number of large wildfires, including one in the Davidson Lake area using bulldozers and water bombers.
Other large fires in the Kelsey Lake, Katimik Lake, Laurie River and Setting Lake areas are also the focus of crews.
The province said Red Sucker Lake residents who had been forced from their homes over the weekend are expected to return today.
The province said there have been a total of 264 wildfires in Manitoba this season, slightly higher than the average of 255.
Eighty-four of the fires are still active.
The province said smoke from forest fires in Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories is still affecting Manitoba Tuesday.