The number of people assisting the Office of the Fire Commissioner with several forest fires near Ashern continues to grow.

Around 200 firefighters from across the province are pitching in, including members of the Pembina Triangle Mutual Aid District. The mutual aid district is comprised of 13 departments along the south edge of Manitoba.

WFD Deputy Fire Chief Phil Dueck

The Winkler, Morden, Altona, St. Jean, and Letellier fire departments are all helping with manpower and equipment, while the Plum Coulee Fire Department has been assisting with manpower.

Phil Dueck is deputy chief for the Winkler Fire Department (WFD). He says the WFD has sent a pumper truck and some portable pumps. "There's a lot of water sources there, like quarries, ponds, and dugouts that we can use to suppress this fire," said Dueck. Along with that, he says Morden, Altona, Letellier, and St. Jean have also supplied a pumper truck.

That being said, Dueck says they don't want to deplete the area if there is an incident here, leaving the area vulnerable. "We're still good to go here. We still have the manpower, we still have the equipment, and we have our mutual aid partners if it really becomes something we can't manage on our own."

Meanwhile, Dueck says rain is desperately needed in the Ashern area. He says the area around Ashern is extremely dry, noting they did not get the rain the Pembina Valley did last week. Thankfully, rain is in the forecast for the Ashern area today and tomorrow. "If rain comes there it will be a huge help," said Dueck. "And if the rain doesn't come, there will just be manpower and equipment on the ground until we can get it done."

The following video of a water bomber flying over a Pembina Triangle Mutual Aid District team, used with permission from the Winkler Fire Department.