Officials in the Sandilands say current weather conditions are not favourable in their battle against the wildland fire.

The Rural Municipality of Piney remains under a State of Local Emergency. The wildland fire remains uncontained and active. Current weather conditions are not favourable, and there is little moisture in the forecast. Daytime highs Wednesday through Sunday are expected to be in the low 20s, with little chance of rainfall. Numerous small fires are still actively burning south of the Sandilands Main Market Road. To date, no structures have been lost to the wildland fire; crews continue to focus on value protection on those properties greatest at risk. The majority of the fire activity continues to occur on the southwest side of the burn area.

The burn area has not increased significantly and remains around 1,900 hectares (this is about 4,695 acres, or the equivalent of seven times the core area of Steinbach). Fire activity is burning against the wind in active areas. According

Photo credit: Alexa Bezditny to the RM, this fire will not be easily extinguished, given the weather forecast, the volume of material left to burn and the massive size of the burn area. Manitoba Conservation and Climate and the RM of Piney fire service will be working this fire for a number of days to come and there is still a great deal of work to accomplish. Provincially, Manitoba fire crews are now dealing with new wildland fires within the province. The RM strongly urges the public to take all precautions in preventing new wildland fires.

Multiple water bombers are being used to action the fire from the air, with additional resources arriving from the Province of Ontario. Helicopters are being used to bucket water over the fire and move personnel and supplies to the fire line. Heavy equipment is operational, establishing and fortifying the perimeter in areas of greatest need. Ground crews continue to attack active hot spots, aggressively fight fire in the southwest corner of the burn area and monitor conditions north of the Sandilands Main Market Road. Municipal fire crews continue to assist provincial personnel as resources are needed and preplanning is underway should the fire change direction.

The Sandilands Main Market Road remains closed and will likely remain closed for the next few days, as crews continue to utilize this road for access to the burn area.

The communities of Sandilands, Woodridge and St. Labre are not at risk. Travel to properties in these communities is permitted.