Following a weekend filled with smoke and numerous forest fires, the RM of Piney has declared a state of emergency.

Reeve Duane Boutang says the declaration is more for instituting a travel ban than any imminent danger to people or properties.  Boutang adds he's been urging provincial officials to declare a travel ban for weeks now, but it takes fires like what has been seen this weekend in order for them to consider action.  A Manitoba Conservation official told Steinbachonline they will discuss a travel ban first thing Monday.  Gary Friesen also says that this weekend's initial brush fire was likely started by an all-terrain vehicle exhaust or a tossed off cigarette butt.  

Boutang isn't saying 'I told you so' just yet, but he's close to it.

Late Sunday evening, he stated the fires have died down a bit thanks to the wind easing off.  According to Boutang, the fire is contained to Crown land and so it is being tackled by Conservation and not local resources, though he does say they do have some ground support assisting in certain areas.  As of 10pm Sunday night, the fire is inching to the southeast and has joined with a second fire that popped up this afternoon just east of Badger, MB.

This story will be updated as information becomes available.

(last update - 10:20pm Sunday)