Now that the snow has cleared, Manitoba has started to see a surge in grass and bush fires.
Over the weekend, fire crews responded to multiple grass fires, including one on Fermor Avenue near the Perimeter Highway and another near Sturgeon Road and Silver Avenue. A third bush fire near Powerview-Pine Falls destroyed a bridge on an ATV trail.
Curt Hull, project director of Climate Change Connection, said these types of incidents are expected because the planet is warming, which is creating drier conditions.
He added that Manitoba is warming at about twice the rate of the global average.
“With that warming has come a trend of hotter summers, drier summers,” he said in an interview with CTV Morning Live on Wednesday.
“And with changes in precipitation as well, we’re seeing more severe precipitation events rather than the long, slow soaking kinds of rainfall. So, the drying is something that’s been anticipated by the models for some time.”
Hull explained that climate change is a systemic problem due to the systems we rely on that use fossil fuels for energy.
He added the best thing you can do to help fight climate change is to reduce your dependence on gasoline and diesel and try to make your home as efficient as possible when it comes to heating and energy usage.
Hull noted it’s also important to recognize your consumption.
“Every time we buy something that we don’t really need and that comes from halfway around the world and we wind up throwing it in the landfill, there’s a great deal of energy and fossil fuel burning that goes along with that kind of thing,” he said.
The province said there are still flood watches in play so it is “premature to speculate on what kind of fire season it will be until after the spring thaw.”
“Most of the wildfire staff have been recalled and are ready for fire action. Training of new staff is ongoing as well as staff recertifications where required. Staff are preparing fire equipment to ensure they are operable and available when needed.” a statement from the province said.
Wildfire prevention
According to the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS), wildfires are typically wind-driven ground fires involving grass, brush, and dead plant matter. It adds that these fires often spread quickly and can put properties at risk.
To help prevent wildland and grass fires, the WFPS says people should only burn clean, dry, and untreated wood, ensure fire pits are enclosed on all sides, and always have a way to quickly extinguish a fire.
They also said people should not dispose of cigarette butts from car windows or in planter pots.
- With files from CTV’s Ainsley McPhail and Danton Unger
