Hon. Harry Enns (Acting Minister of Natural Resources): Madam Speaker, on behalf of the Minister of Natural Resources (Mr. Cummings), I have a brief statement to the House.

I am pleased to report that favourable weather conditions, including rain and cooler temperatures, are assisting our firefighting efforts throughout the province today. Favourable weather will allow us to be much more aggressive in our firefighting efforts, and we anticipate making good progress in the next few days. The long-range weather forecast looks positive for firefighting with more precipitation to the end of this week.

At last report, we have 66 fires burning in the province. We have some 500 firefighters on the line, including 50 professional firefighters from Saskatchewan. Otherwise, we are using Manitoba crews. We continue to have 30 helicopters and 11 water bombers, including four from Alberta and two from the Northwest Territories assisting us. Water bombers from the State of Minnesota are available should they be needed.

The Manigotagan area fire remains one of our main concerns. We are continuing to protect the community with 200 firefighters and 60 pieces of heavy equipment. With the favourable weather conditions, the fire will be aggressively attacked today. The St. Theresa Point area fire, which was threatening that community, is being held.

Manitobans are reminded that outdoor burning is not permitted and back-country travel is not recommended. Persons responsible for fires are being charged. The Manitoba Natural Resources firefighters and firefighters from other provinces are continuing to do an excellent job. The favourable weather conditions will certainly help with their efforts.

Mr. Stan Struthers (Dauphin): I would like to thank the Minister of Agriculture (Mr. Enns) for bringing forth this report on behalf of the Minister of Natural Resources. We appreciate the opportunities to keep up to date on what is happening in a troublesome situation for Manitobans who are affected by these fires. Our hope is, too, that we can take advantage of the opportunity of cooler weather and some precipitation to get these fires under control.

We also appreciate the co-operation from neighbours like Saskatchewan, Alberta and Northwest Territories for their assistance in this matter and also the potential assistance from the State of Minnesota. I want to also point out the efforts of local people, local firefighters, all those who are working to help out people who have been affected by these fires, and I am sure that the government can count on our support, our co-operation to do everything we can to maintain a relative level of comfort for people who are in the area.

I also, too, want to point out that the MLA for Rupertsland (Mr. Robinson) has been very active in working and helping the people of his constituency to cope with what is a very bad situation. I think the MLA for Rupertsland deserves a pat on the back for the work that he has been doing in this area as well.

So we look forward to continued updates from the government on a situation that is really very poor for the people who are affected by these fires. So thank you very much to the minister for that.

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