Due to the extremely dry conditions, the Rural Municipality of Stuartburn has put a fire ban in place.

CAO Lucie Maynard says council is simply trying to be proactive.

"Well a lot of our neighboring municipalities do already have burn bans on and the conditions are quite dry out there and this council is very cautious due to the large wildfires we had several years back."

The ban applies to all outdoor fires, such as the burning of grass, crop residue and bushes. Maynard notes fires in enclosed pits are allowed but council they ask residents to use caution in these dry and sometimes windy conditions as it doesn't take long for a fire to get out of hand. She says the ban will remain in place until further notice.

"Depends if we start to get some rain, much-needed rain, then obviously council would consider lifting the ban but for now, it looks like, in the forecast, that there's not a lot of precipitation coming our way."

Others who have also issued fire bans are the RMs of Hanover, Ritchot, Tache, De Salaberry and Ste. Anne.