Recent rain and improving weather conditions have allowed the province to lift travel restrictions in the eastern, central and western regions of the province with the exception of the Duck Mountains.  Motorized backcountry travel is not allowed between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m., and campfires are only allowed between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. in the Duck Mountains.  Provincial resources including Manitoba Sustainable Development, Emergency Measures Organization and the Office of the Fire Commissioner continue to work on a number of fires around the province.  Ontario has provided 120 firefighters and Quebec has sent four water bombers. Fire crews continue to work on the fire between the Little Grand Rapids First Nation and the Pauingassi First Nation, which covers over25,000 hectares andis about four kilometres from Pauingassi.  Some light rain has fallen on the area, which has helped the efforts but the fire is still not under control.  Crews have now completed the work of setting up sprinklers to protect homes at both the Little Grand Rapids First Nation and the Pauingassi First Nation.  Power remains out to the area and the evacuation order remains in effect for both communities. The fires near the community of Ashern are considered under control, with crews remaining in the area to monitor and address a few hot spots. Recent rain and high humidity assisted suppression efforts on fires near the community of Sapotaweyak Cree Nation but the community remains evacuated. One new fire started yesterday and the total number of fires in Manitoba to date is 186, well above the 20-year average of 114 for this date. A list of parks with campfire restrictions can be found at www.manitobaparks.com.  Visitors to provincial parks should check with park staff for the most up-to-date information. A map of the areas affected and a detailed description of the provincial fire and travel restrictions can be found at www.gov.mb.ca/sd/fire/Restrictions/index.html.  Local municipalities may also implement burning bans or fire restrictions.  Check with local municipal offices or visit www.gov.mb.ca/wildfire/burn_conditions.html for more information. For further general information on fire status, maps, burning permit cancellations or other restrictions go to www.gov.mb.ca/wildfire/or follow the Twitter account at www.twitter.com/mbgovnews. For additional information on these restrictions, contact the nearest Manitoba Sustainable Development office.  To report a wildfire, call 911 or the T.I.P. line (toll-free) at 1-800-782-0076.

Brandon Police Service Media Release At approximately 5:00 a.m., Police stopped a vehicle in the 1100 Block of McTavish Avenue with a male driving and a female occupying the passenger seat. Officers detected a strong odour of Marihuana emanating from the vehicle and both individuals were taken into Police custody. The male was found to have a can of bear spray concealed on his person, a search of the vehicle recovered small amounts of Marihuana, Methamphetamine, and Cocaine all prepackaged for distribution. Officers also located $300 and an expandable baton in the vehicle. A 32-year-old man and 30-year-old female both from Brandon were arrested for Possession for the Purpose Trafficking Methamphetamine, Cocaine and Marihuana as well as Possession of Prohibited Weapons and Possession of Proceeds of Crime. Both subjects have been released from Police custody and are scheduled to appear in Court in July.

Brandon Police Service Media Release A 20-year old female from Sapotawayak First Nations was arrested Saturday afternoon just prior to 2:30 PM in the 2200 Block of Victoria Avenue after another female victim had been slashed in the face with a glass earlier in the afternoon at a residence in the 100 Block of Princess Avenue East.  The victim was transported to BRHC for treatment of her injuries.  The suspect will appear in court today charged with aggravated assault.

Brandon Police Service Media Release At 10:34 pm on Friday evening, members of the police service were conducting a Roadwatch check stop program.  A vehicle was observed driving well below the posted limit on Willowdale Crescent near Beech Boulevard.  The vehicle was stopped and the officer observed numerous empty beer cans on the floor of the vehicle.  The male driver displayed signs of impairment and was arrested.  He provided breath samples that exceeded the legal limit.  The accused, a 69 year old from Virden, was lodged and will be released to appear in court at a later date. At 3:15 am on Saturday morning, a vehicle was stopped in the 900 block of Rosser Ave after it was observed travelling the wrong way on the street.  The driver showed signs of impairment and he was arrested and transported to the police service.  He provided one breath sample that exceed the legal limit and then failed to provide a second sample as legally required.   The driver, a 38 year old man from Souris, has been charged with Impaired Driving and Refusing to Provide a Breath Sample. He was lodged at BCC and will be released to appear in court later in May.

Brandon Police Service Media Release At 11:40 am on Friday, the residents of a home on Darrach Bay reported a woman was causing a disturbance and setting fires in the yard.  Officers attended and observed a pile of clothing and a trampoline on fire in the backyard.  One of the officers used a fire extinguisher to put out the fire.  BFES also attended and confirmed the small fire was out.  The suspect, a 29 year old woman from Brandon, was arrested at the scene and lodged at Brandon Correctional Center due to her intoxication. She will be released for a court date in July charged with Arson.