ST. JEAN BAPTISTE, Man. — Smoke from burning straw in Manitoba’s Red River Valley didn’t cause problems in Winnipeg last year and prompt the provincial government to introduce more regulations.
However, a government official says that will happen the next time conditions are right and some farmers break the rules.
“All it’s going to (take) is one or two big incidents like we had in 2010 and they’re going to put more restrictions on allowing producers to burn,” Manitoba Agriculture weather specialist Mike Wroblewski said during a presentation at St. Jean Farm Days.
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“Try to follow the rules that we put out to you guys.”
Wheat crops in the thick, wet, clay soil of the Red River Valley leave thick stubble beds behind that are often too thick to be worked the next spring if soil is wet. Many producers burn the stubble after harvest.
This often happens without causing significant problems for rural neighbours and Winnipeg residents, but things can go wrong when weather conditions, including wind and inversions, combine with banned farmer practices. Numerous vehicle accidents occurred on highways and in Winnipeg in 2010 because of thick black smoke that blew horizontally from burning stubble.
As well, thousands of asthmatics in both the country and the city suffer during burning season, which is made worse when farmers break burning regulations.
Wroblewski said the good news is that stubble burning can be done safely and without outraging others.
“I can control the smoke and keep it out of the city, if you guys help me,” said Wroblewski, who oversees the regulations on when and where farmers can burn stubble.
“But I need your help to not burn at night and be aware of your neighbours.”
Farmers in designated areas must apply for permits during certain periods, which are granted based on that day’s weather. Wroblewski said farmers need to do more than ignore local farmers who break the rules.
“You run the risk of him taking away your right to burn,” he said.
“We maybe have to work on a buddy system, and if you see someone in the area that maybe isn’t on top of the rules, then school him, please.”
The regulations have been relaxed in areas like St Jean Baptiste, but Wroblewski urged local farmers to be thoughtful just the same. Many rural and farmer neighbours also don’t like burning.
“You never know, they could have a grandchild over who has asthma,” said Wroblewski.
