Depending on where you go, there may be restrictions in place on fires this May long weekend, but that won’t stop campers from sitting around fire pits.
The 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. fire ban, issued in April, remains in effect across much of the province, but campers were still at Birds Hill Park Friday afternoon enjoying a break from work.
Birds Hill is one of the campgrounds in Manitoba that had its ban rolled back Friday afternoon.
Gary Friesen, fire program manager for the Province of Manitoba, said other southeastern areas have also had restrictions lifted, including:
- Caddy Lake
- Falcon Beach
- Falcon Lake-Lakeshore
- Falcon Lake-Toniata Beach
- West Hawk
“Southeastern Manitoba did get rain, but it was very spotty and localized. The travel restrictions were eased a little bit, and the campfire restrictions in the provincial parks, the time from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. being when they were only allowed, has been lifted. So, campfires in the approved pits in south Whiteshell parks can occur without the time restriction.”
Friesen said the daytime fire ban remains in effect for central, eastern and northern camping areas, but evening fires are allowed.
“The aesthetics of a fire in the evening is something that is still allowed in most parks,” Friesen assured.
He encouraged campers to check with the campground office, or the Manitoba Parks website for the latest information on fire restrictions before heading out.
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Campfires are still restricted to evening hours in these areas:
- Brereton Lake
- Dorothy Lake
- Nutimik Lake
- Opapiskaw
- Otter Falls
- White Lake
Fires are once again allowed, with a permit, within city limits — the City of Winnipeg lifted their temporary ban on fires Friday thanks to recent rain.
Parks Canada issued a reminder Friday saying the ban on all open fires in Riding Mountain National Park remains in effect.
Thousands are expected to flock to provincial sites this weekend, and many will be happy to know the rain won’t be following them.
The forecast calls for sunny skies on Saturday and Sunday after a wet Friday.
But the weather and fire ban aren’t the only talking points heading into another long weekend.
Rules put in place 23 years ago to restrict alcohol consumption during May Long on provincial sites was rolled back this month, which means campers can enjoy an alcoholic beverage near their tents or trailers.
The ban was originally introduced in 1995 after a number of alcohol-related incidents occurred.