The RM of Hanover has put a fire ban into effect. Fire Chief Paul Wiebe says it is needed for safety reasons.

"Conditions are extremely dry right now. In the past few days, we've responded to a couple of grass fires that gave us every indication that conditions were extremely dry."

Wiebe says all open fires are banned. He adds fires are still allowed in approved backyard fire pits as long as they are supervised and properly extinguished. He adds people are also reminded to use caution and should not start a backyard fire in the approved pits if wind velocity is in excess of 32 kph.

He notes one of the recent fires, on Monday, burned 30 acres and destroyed three storage buildings.

"Anytime that you are burning the wind can pick up at any time, which is what happened Monday. It can move into neighbouring properties and do some damage. We live in a very populated municipality so these things can prove to be dangerous at times."

Fire bans are also in effect in the RM's of Ste. Anne, De Salaberry, Tache and Ritchot.

Meanwhile, Steinbach Fire Chief Kel Toews reminds residents that open fires are prohibited in Steinbach and that fires are only allowed in contained fire pits. He urges extreme caution because it is so dry.