U.S. flood risk low, but droughts, wildfires could continue

Reuters / No area of the United States faces a high risk of major flooding this spring for the first time in four years, but continuing drought across the southern and western parts of the country could lead to wildfires, U.S. government forecasters said March 15. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said in its

Fire, Smoke Issue Over Thanksgiving Weekend

Extremely dry weather, high winds and above-average temperatures have put a damper on crop residue burning, while a wildfire had some producers on evacuation standby over the holiday weekend. I was ready to call in Emergency Measures, it was that close, said Victor Baraniuk, reeve of the rural municipality of Clanwilliam. But we were lucky,


More Fires Deliberately Set Each Year, Says OFC Chief

“We have a really significant issue with respect to arson in rural Manitoba.” – CHIEF FIRE COMMISSIONER CHRIS JONES Provincial fire officials are urging rural residents to keep their eyes peeled for arsonists in light of a surge in deliberately lit fires in the countryside. “We have a really significant issue with respect to arson

Burning Permits Needed Into December

Farmers must continue securing permits before burning stubble following the province’s decision last week to extend the requirement to Dec. 4. The province announced the measure last Thursday after receiving complaints from the public about smoke billowing across parts of southern Manitoba and into Winnipeg from fires lit after Nov. 15. That was the last