Drone blocks water bomber from fighting wildfire in Manitoba's Whiteshell Provincial Park

A water bombertrying to put outa forest fire in eastern Manitoba had to turn back after someone flew a drone in its way, according to the province.

It happened on Saturday as the plane was en route todouse the flames of a fire in Whiteshell Provincial Parknear the Ontario border. Thewater bomberwas flying over thesouth shore of West Hawk Lake whena drone got in theway of its flight path.

Thewater bomber had to turn back, leaving the firefighters on the groundin jeopardy.

"That could have turned into something way worse than it was, just because someone flew a drone,"saidDon Hallett, assistant director for the Manitoba Wildfire Service. "Thankfully the ground crews were able to do what we needed them to do."

The province says there were many people on the beach, but the person flying the drone wasn't spotted.

"Just take your communities into consideration and your fellow Manitobans into consideration," Hallett said.

He says people who fly drones near active fires could face charges. Anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to contact Falcon Lake RCMP.

Residents in part of eastern Manitoba 'must be ready to leave'

Extremely dry conditions continue to hamper efforts to control wildfires. Most of Manitoba remains under a fire ban, including provincial parks andmost municipalities, including Winnipeg.

Starting Tuesday morning, additional restrictions will be in place for an area near the Ontario border.

A full travel ban will kick in for theWildfire Service's Area 4which encompassesthe large area north of the Wanipigow River, east of Lake Winnipeg to the Ontario borderincluding Atikaki Provincial Parkand north to Poplar River.

The province says there will be noaccess to cottages, and permanent residents must be ready to leave on an hour's notice.

There are 130 forest fires burning right now in Manitoba, including about two dozen the province lists as out of control.

Most of the current fires were started by natural causeslike lightning strikes, Hallett said.