RM of St. Andrews - Wildfire, Burning & Fire Safety Information

Economic Development, Investment, Trade and Natural Resources Wildfire Service is responsible for the prevention, detection and suppression of wildfires. The program manages all human and equipment resources needed for fighting wildfires in the province. These staff monitor weather patterns, lightning strikes, soil moisture and forest conditions to determine the probability and location of wildfires.

Manitoba's Wildfire Service works in close cooperation with other forest fire fighting agencies and jurisdictions. Equipment and other resources are shared through the Canadian Inter Agency Forest Fire Centre and the Great Lakes Forest Fire Compact. 

• Stay indoors as much as possible and avoid exercising outside.
• Drive with the windows up and set the air to recirculate.
• Check air advisories often. Don’t rely solely on what it looks like outside.
• Invest in an air purifier. A good air purifier can reduce particle levels inside your home.

Did you know the RM has an air quality monitor situated on the outside of the Municipal Office building in Clandeboye? You can check the air quality readings throughout the Province in different communities that have this PurpleAir Quality Monitor.

Plan Ahead for Any Emergency With These Essential Items

You can protect members of your household and your property by learning more about wildfires and by taking proper precautions. Make sure that your household has prepared an:

• Emergency Plan
• Emergency Kit or bag with essential items in case you need to leave your home immediately or an evacuation is required

How do Wildfires Start?

Most naturally occurring wildfires in Canada start when lightning strikes a tree or another fuel source. Since these fires often happen in remote locations, they account for roughly 80% of the total area burned by wildfires. Human-caused fires generally happen in more populated areas and are extinguished quicker. Still, it’s important to be cautious and comply with fire bans during high risk periods.

How to Prevent an Out-of-Control Fire or Wildfire

• If you notice an unattended or out-of-control fire, call 911 and the fire department will be dispatched. To Report a Wildfire, call 1-800-782-0076 (toll-free).
• Never leave a fire unattended. Always ensure the fire is completely extinguished by dousing it with water and stirring the ashes until cold (before sleeping or leaving the campsite).
• Always take care when using fuel type lanterns, stoves and heaters. Make sure lighting and heating devices are cool before refueling. Avoid spilling flammable liquids and store fuel away from appliances.
• Do not discard cigarettes, matches, and smoking materials from moving vehicles, or anywhere on park grounds. Be certain to completely extinguish cigarettes before disposing of them.
• Follow local by-laws when burning.  Avoid any burning in windy conditions and keep a shovel, water, and fire retardant nearby to keep fires in check. Remove all flammables from the yard when burning.

Members of Fire Hall #3 in Matlock
undergoing a training exercise

New Levels of the RM of St. Andrews Burning Restrictions

• Level 1 Restrictions – Fires are allowed in approved receptacles. Open air fires are allowed in the appropriate zone. However, any person who wishes to cause an open-air fire shall contact the RM of St. Andrews and obtain a burn permit. (Note the RM of St. Andrews is always at a level 1 fire restriction)
• Level 2 Restrictions – Open air fires are prohibited; fires in approved receptacles such as fire pits, barbeques, outdoor fireplaces and warming receptacles are permitted. Fires are restricted between 8:00am and 8:00pm and when wind speeds are greater than 25km/hr. Residents should limit all motorized back country travel. Firework use should be limited.
• Level 3 Restrictions (Fire Ban) – NO fires of any type are allowed except for gas/propane barbecues and fire tables. No motorized back country travel within the RM. Firework use is prohibited

Determining Restriction Levels and Communication

1. Fire restrictions and bans are determined by the regional fire danger, current and forecasted weather conditions, the amount of moisture in the vegetation, and the provincial wildfire situation. There are specific thresholds that indicate when a fire restriction/ban should be implemented. Those thresholds include a combination of moisture levels in the fuels (branches, grass, logs) and moisture levels in the organic layers (needles, decomposing fuels, and soil). As fuels dry out, more of it is available to burn and the risk of fires taking hold and spreading increases.
2.  One or more of the Districts Chiefs and/or the Director of Municipal Safety (DMS) feel those thresholds have been met.
3.  District Chiefs and DMS discuss the current and forecast conditions to determine if action is required. A majority of the group is required to initiate restrictions. (NOTE, at this time restrictions and bans will be for the entire municipality).
4.  Consultation with neighboring and regional municipalities/partners on their conditions and restriction/ban levels will be taken into consideration.
5.  Recommendation of restrictions or bans will be forwarded to the CAO for approval and action.
6.  DMS will send restrictions and ban details to the Fire Commissioner’s Office for posting on the provincial restrictions’ website.
7. Restriction and ban details will be forwarded to the Communications Officer for distribution on social media, website and CONNECT as well as our Recreation Department for posting on the RM’s electronic signs (St. Andrews and Petersfield).
8. Restriction and ban details will be communicated to frontline staff for their awareness and to ensure a clear consistent message is delivered to residents. 
9. Restriction or ban implementation will be forwarded to the Public Works Manager to ensure the proper signage is posted at entry points into the RM and strategic locations throughout St. Andrews.
10. If conditions change, the District Chiefs and DMS will meet to discuss an increase, decrease or maintain the restriction level. (Increases and decreases follow steps 4-7)

Procedures During and After Restrictions/Bans 

Level 1

1.    Residents in approved burning zones looking to have open air fires will contact the RM of St. Andrews office to obtain a burning permit. Once approved a copy of the permit will be forwarded to the appropriate district fire chief for situational awareness and to check in on the property.

2.    St. Andrews By-Law Enforcement (STABLE) will respond as usual to burning violations from service tracker and patrols.

Level 2

1.    No permits will be permitted during a level 2 restriction. 

2.    STABLE will respond as usual to burning violations from Service Tracker and patrols.

3.    SAFD will assist STABLE with patrols and responding to calls.

4.    Both SAFD and STABLE will provide education on the restrictions and wait on scene until the fire is extinguished.

5.    If the resident refuses to comply, the district hall will be dispatched to extinguish the fire at the resident’s expense, and an additional fine will be issued to the resident according to the General Enforcement By-Law. (NOTE all efforts will be made to educate the residents of St. Andrews before enforcement)

Level 3 Full Ban 

1.    STABLE will respond as usual to burning violations from Service Tracker and patrols.

2.    SAFD will assist STABLE with patrols and responding to calls.

3.    If the resident refuses to comply, the district hall will be dispatched to extinguish the fire at the resident’s expense, and an additional fine will be issued to the resident according to the General Enforcement By-Law. (NOTE all efforts will be made to educate the residents of St. Andrews before enforcement)

Cancellation and Reductions 

1.    Decisions to reduce or remove bans will be made in consultation with regional chiefs, by-law and regional/neighboring municipalities and be based on current conditions, current and future weather and the provincial wildfire situation.

2.    Full bans will be reduced to the next lowest level unless conditions warrant complete removal.

3.    Cancellations or reductions in restrictions or bans will be communicated to the CAO for approval.

4.    DMS will send burn ban cancellations or reduction details to the Fire Commissioner’s Office to post on the provincial restrictions’ website. 

5.    Cancellation and reductions details will be forwarded to the Communications Officer for distribution on social media, website and CONNECT as well as our Recreation Department for posting on the RM’s electronic signs (St. Andrews and Petersfield).

6.    Cancellation or reduction details will be forwarded to the Public Works Manager to ensure the proper signage are posted or removed at entry points into the RM and strategic locations throughout St. Andrews.

Smoke from burning crop residues affects people's health, road safety and the environment. Manitoba's smoke management plan encourages practical and responsible ways of dealing with crop residue. If you must burn, you must adhere to Manitoba's Controlled Crop Residue Burning Program. 

Before you burn, call 1-800-265-1233 or check for daily authorizations online at manitoba.ca/agriculture. 

The Manitoba Controlled Crop Residue Burning Program is in place from August 1 to November 15 each year. Based on weather conditions, start and end times for burning will be established. In addition to the Manitoba Controlled Crop Residue Burning Program, check and follow all other provincial and municipal burning requirements.

No permits are issued by the R.M. of St. Andrews. Any permits must be obtained from the Province through the following application form: Crop Residue Burning Permit Application Form  

If you plan on burning a field or large span of grass or brush, we ask that you notify the local fire chief so that they are aware should a 911 call come in and they can ensure that the appropriate water supply is on hand should it get out of control or they will advise against burning due to the conditions. If a fire does get out of control and spreads out onto adjacent properties, the property owner can be fined under The Wildfires Act as well as the RM's Burning By-Law No. 4425. 

ASBESTOS AND NATURAL DISASTERS

Natural Disasters such as wildfires, hurricanes, floods and tornadoes can damage asbestos-containing materials and lead to asbestos exposure among first responders, cleanup crews and nearby residents. Learn how to prevent asbestos exposure when preparing for and cleaning up after a natural disaster.

Check out this guide to learn more about the topics below as well as other safety tips and information on Wildfire Safety.

• How is Asbestos a Risk During a Natural Disaster
• What to Do During Wildfires
• How to Prevent Asbestos Exposure from Other Disasters

Another great source of information is this Homeowners Guide to Asbestos.