The Wildfires Regulation, M.R. 26/2024, under The Wildfires Act (C.C.S.M. c. W128) outlines guidelines for wildfire management in Manitoba. It addresses areas such as fire prevention, the designation of officers, the regulation of outdoor fires, and the handling of flammable materials and explosives. Additionally, it specifies procedures for conducting restricted work in wildfire-prone areas and establishes requirements for firefighting equipment to be used during these activities.

A significant section of the regulation focuses on the designation of officers. Various employees of the Department of Environment and Climate Change and the Manitoba Wildfire Service are assigned specific roles under The Wildfires Act. These include positions such as Area Fire Managers, Fire Rangers, and Park District Managers. While some officers, like clerks and financial administrators, are given limited powers, the powers of arrest are reserved for higher-ranked officers and patrol officers.

The regulation also designates certain lands as burning permit areas, where permits are required for fire-related activities during wildfire season. A map in Winnipeg identifies these areas. Outdoor fires in these zones must be contained in noncombustible materials, closely supervised, and have water readily available for extinguishing. Strict rules govern the handling of flammable objects like fireworks and exploding targets in these areas, requiring permits and the immediate extinguishment of any residue from these materials.

For those conducting restricted work within burning permit areas, the regulation sets specific conditions aimed at minimizing wildfire risks. Vegetation cannot be bulldozed within five meters of standing timber, and any accumulated debris must be either compacted into windrows or burned under controlled conditions. Exceptions exist for forestry operations and other permitted activities, but burning is only allowed under a permit and when conditions are deemed safe.

The regulation further details firefighting equipment requirements for those working in burning permit areas during wildfire season. Machines and vehicles are categorized into three classes, with each class having specific equipment that must be affixed to the machine or kept nearby. For instance, Class 1 machines require at least one 5 lb ABC fire extinguisher, while Class 3 machines, which include wood processing equipment, require more extensive fire fighting systems, such as a back tank pump with at least 18 liters of water. In addition, camps and worksites must have a certain amount of firefighting gear based on the number of workers present. For worksites with 10 or more workers, a pumping unit with 600 feet of forestry hose is required. These sites must also have appropriate firefighting tools, and if there is no water source available, a 500-gallon tank or equivalent must be on-site.

Through its strict rules on outdoor fires, restricted work, and flammable materials, as well as its detailed guidelines on officer responsibilities and firefighting equipment, the regulation aims to reduce wildfire risks and improve fire safety during wildfire season.

Manitoba (26/2024) March 27, 2024