How to have a safe long weekend: Don't speed, don't start open fires

As people head to cottages and beaches this long weekend, the provincial government and RCMP are asking Manitobans to take precautions.

Manitoba Public Insurance say two people are killed every long weekend and about 100 are injured on the province's roads and highways. Most of thosehappen just as it all begins on the Friday.

Sgt. Mark Hume of the RCMP's traffic services division said the reason behind the numbers is a combination of factors.

The most common violation and cause of crashes is speeding, said Hume.

"Speeds are getting worse and worse it seems every year, we're seeing speeds quite often in the 170-180 [km/h] range on a weekly basis," he said, noting there have been a few times in the past year where speeders have been caught doing 200 km/h.

"The main highwaysthat we're concerned about are those heading to the provincial parks, the federal parks. Out west, it's Highway 10, heading to Riding Mountain National Park and out east it's all the cottage country highways."

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His best advice to avoid crashing your vehicle? Slow down and don't drink and drive.

"Some people just aren't getting the message it appears. The vast majority of people are good drivers but a small percentage just don't seem to get the message."

Hume said drivers are encouraged to contact RCMP"as safely as possible"if they notice high-risk behaviour on the highways, adding people do call in about impaired and aggressive driving daily.

Sunny skies, dry weather mean fire risk up

The province advised Thursday that dry weather has elevated the fire risk.

"Manitobans are reminded to exercise extreme caution with any outdoor activities," a news release stated.

"In areas where ATV use is authorized, stay on developed trails, stop frequently to check areas around the engine and exhaust for debris and carefully dispose of any debris found. Riders should carry a small shovel, axe and fire extinguisher at all times."

Open burning without a permit is not allowed until Nov. 15, and Manitobans are reminded that campfires should only be made in designatedfirepits.

The province issues a daily fire situation report. As of Thursday there were66 fires burning in the province. Check out a map of current fires.