Manitoba Conservation says we need at least 25 millimetres of rain before it can lift a ban on open fires and back country travel here in eastern Manitoba.

It says 3 men were arrested over the weekend at Reynolds Ponds, northeast of Richer, after they allegedly ignored the travel ban and smashed a barricade to get into the area. Each of them faces a fine of 475 dollars.

Provincial officials say they have quickly put out 3 fires in the past week, all caused by people. One was was caused by a camper's fire on the shores of Crowduck Lake, another by fireworks at Nutimik and a third by sparks from an ATV at Vivian, east of Anola.

Meanwhile, east winds on the weekend blew smoke from forest fires in Northwestern Ontario into our area, causing quite a haze at times.