A total fire and burn ban is now in place in Winkler, Morden and the R.M. of Stanley. The Winkler Fire Department and Morden Fire and Rescue announced the move Tuesday.

Morden Fire and Rescue Chief Andy Thiessen told PembinaValleyOnline, due to dry conditions and no significant rainfall in the forecast, a complete fire ban is now in effect. 

"We've gotten ourselves to the first danger level 4 for the season. So, what that means, the levels of dryness and conditions are not conducive to having any fires at all. So, we've gone into a fire ban in Morden/Stanley region." 

Fire Danger Levels are set with information provided daily by the Provincial Wildfire Program, based on conditions at the Morden weather station.

Thiessen explained what a fire ban means.  

"The Danger Level 4 means no fires at all. No campfires, no backyard fires, no open fires. Conditions just are not in our favour at this point."  

He noted, it can be costly for those who ignore the ban. 

"If we do get called out to those kinds of fires, we can lay a charge on them and send them the bill. The fine is $1,000, but the cost of sending out a fire department is around $3,500. So, you're looking at a total of $4,500 if we come out for a call. If it causes structural damage to a home, or to a structure or whatever, insurance can come after you for the complete cost of it, because there has been a ban put out." 

Thiessen added they don't like to take the route of fines, if they don't have to, and hope people will listen and follow the ban. 

When lighting a fire this summer, check the fire safety rating on local fire department social media and community websites before you do. 

Meanwhile, Winkler Fire Department Chief Richard Paetzold confirmed the total fire ban for Winkler and Ward 1 of the R.M. of Stanley to PembinaValleyOnline Tuesday evening. 

In Morris, a fire ban has also been implemented, and will be in effect until further notice. The ban includes all backyard fires and burning of any kind.