Hon. Glen Cummings (Minister of Natural Resources): Madam Speaker, I have a statement for the House. I have copies.

We have had severe fire weather conditions recently with high winds, high temperatures, and low humidity. This past weekend created an extreme fire hazard in this province. It appears at this time the conditions will improve somewhat; however, unsettled weather is predicted. We are expecting cooler temperatures, moderate winds and scattered showers and hopefully some reduced winds.

At this time, there have been 165 fires that have been reported in total in the province, with 18 new starts in the past day. That means that we currently have about 60 active fires in the province. All fires, virtually without exception, have been human caused, and I cannot emphasize enough that all outdoor burning is prohibited; back-country travel is not recommended. If conditions do not improve, we will be faced with travel restrictions, and persons responsible for causing fires will undoubtedly be charged.

The Manigotagan area fire remains our No. 1 concern. We are continuing to protect this community with about 200 firefighters on line today. Approximately close to 700 people out of a population of 900 have been evacuated from Seymourville, Hollow Water and Manigotagan. The St. Theresa Point fire is still not under control and seven houses as well as a number of outbuildings have been lost. A fire at Sundown has cut off travel on Highway No. 12.

We currently have 32 helicopters, five CL-215 water bombers and numerous other aircraft committed to supporting these firefighting operations. Currently, the province of Manitoba has on the ground about 500 firefighters. The State of Minnesota is assisting with a long-term fire retardant water bomber and help is being received from Alberta and Saskatchewan. More than 50 fighters have been mobilized out of the province of Saskatchewan.

Natural Resources firefighters, I believe, are doing their very best under some very trying conditions. We have just seen extreme wind conditions combined with low humidity yesterday that made firefighting virtually impossible. If we receive some precipitation and some cooler temperatures in the next few days, we will possibly enjoy some improved conditions. I have to remind everyone and emphasize that outdoor burning is not permitted and that back country travel is certainly not recommended.

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Mr. Eric Robinson (Rupertsland): Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the minister for his statement in bringing us up to date on the unfortunate fires that are burning in several parts of the province of Manitoba. I know in speaking with Chief Larry Barker today of the Hollow Water First Nation, he pointed out that most of the community had been evacuated from the reserve that he represents. Primarily the people left in the reserve are the firefighters and some of the others that do not desire to move at this time.

However, we have been advised as well that the people of Seymourville and Manigotagan have also been displaced as a result of this unfortunate circumstance at this time. We have been told that many of the residents are being lodged in various locations, including the city of Winnipeg at various hotels, at the South East Tribal Council College in south Winnipeg, at the facilities within the Winnipeg Airport and also in the town of Bissett. We want to thank the people in the town of Bissett for welcoming these people who are faced with this unfortunate situation.

The chief advises me that the bombers did not arrive until this morning at eleven o'clock to begin the efforts in containing a fire within the community of Hollow Water and the nearby Northern Affairs community known as Seymourville. I am advised further that there are 36 skidders and 16 caterpillars that have been provided by the Pine Falls Paper Company, otherwise known as Tembec, for the community to contain the fire. However, the community would like to express its need for pumps and hoses.

As you know, Madam Speaker, and many members in this House, we have an elite team of firefighters that come from the community of Hollow Water and the surrounding areas, and they are certainly experienced in dealing with situations like this. The chief further asked me to ask the government about the policy of ensuring that people's lives are not put at risk by–when is a decision made, for example, for water bombers to be allowed to go and do the work that they have to do? But, above all, the chief, I believe, is of the opinion that every effort is being made to contain the fire and certainly many people's lives are at risk, not only in the community of Hollow Water but indeed in St. Theresa Point where some houses have been lost. We are told that as many as 57 people have been evacuated from the community of St. Theresa Point in the northeast part of this province.

So, Madam Speaker, I do thank the minister for bringing us up to date on the situation of the fires that are burning out of control in parts of our province, and we will continue to listen for updates from the minister and his department so that we can assure the residents of these communities that are affected that there is indeed work being done to try and bring these fires under control. Thank you.