As of Friday morning, all fire prevention restrictions around campfires and ATV use in northern Manitoba are now lifted.
Areas 12 and 13, which cover all Manitoba area around Flin Flon, are now no longer under Level 2 fire and travel restrictions. These restrictions are not the same as COVID-19-related public health orders restricting travel to northern Manitoba - those restrictions, as of August 20, are still in effect.
The only area with some level of fire-related travel restrictions is Area 4, located in eastern Manitoba near the Ontario border, not far from where fires have ravaged hundreds of thousands of hectares of forest.
"With the forecast for significant rainfall to arrive over most parts of Manitoba in the coming days, the Manitoba Wildfire Service advises that current fire and travel restrictions can be lifted in most areas," reads a provincial fire update released August 19.
"Manitobans are reminded there are still some areas where the risk of wildfire may still exist even after the rain, therefore caution is required."
Starting Friday, provincial burning permits are back in effect and can be obtained from local or regional offices of Manitoba Conservation and Climate. Those permits will still be issued at the discretion of an issuing officer and may require inspections or conditions, but new permits can now be issued.
Campfires can be lit in all approved fire pits in provincial parks at all hours and all provincial park trails are now open. Wayside parks are also open and boats can be landed or launched at developed and non-developed shorelines.
Fires can burn in approved areas in Flin Flon, Creighton and Denare Beach; all three areas were under municipal fire bans until last week.
