Steinbach's Fire Chief is pleading with people to not do any burning this weekend. Kel Toews says it's just far too dry.

Fire Chief Kel Toews"All indications are that it's going to be a dry weekend and a relatively hot weekend. I would urge people not to burn anything this weekend. I would also like to remind everyone that according to the City of Steinbach's bylaws in place at this time, you are not permitted to burn leaves and organic material, only seasoned firewood and within a pit. You shouldn't be burning grass or anything like that."

Toews notes even with a fire pit, it is so dry right now that one spark could cause an inferno. He says they've already seen that happen this spring.

"Every year we go to a fire or two that have been started due to a burn barrel. The wind picks up and throws the embers onto the dry grass and very quickly it's out of control."

Toews says he and the other fire chiefs throughout the southeast are very concerned about the potential for grass and brush fires.

"That's why you are seeing fire bans throughout the province. We're preparing for a bad grass fire season."

He is hoping that people will heed the warnings and fires can be avoided.