Stuartburn Prescribed Burn Association

05/06/2026

Blast! Just when we were getting started! Our hope of doing two more training burns next week has been dashed. :/ Unfortunately, this is a challenge to burning that prescribed burn associations can't overcome.

The RM of Stuartburn is issuing a LEVEL 2 Burn Ban starting immediately, May 6th, 2026.

If you have recently been issued a burn permit, it is invalid.

For regulations on the burn ban please visit our website to review our burning by-law 179/2021. https://www.rmofstuartburn.com/p/files-and-documents

05/06/2026

A great article about our first burn on Steinbach Online!

The Stuartburn Prescribed Burn Association (SPDA) has officially marked a major milestone, completing its very first prescribed burn after nearly two years of planning. Director Dan Rapinda says the day was about much more than just lighting a fire; it was about learning, teamwork, and building conf...

04/30/2026

After more than two years of preparation, we completed our first prescribed burn on Sunday, April 26, 2026!

Our 12-person crew, including several first-timers, carried out a safe, successful 2-acre burn with no challenges to the fire line and about 90% litter removal. Wind gusts pushed us outside prescription longer than forecast, but conditions improved and we were able to burn one prepared unit safely. We also learned valuable access lessons in soft, wet ground, where our 6x6 proved essential.

We are grateful for the help we've had to make this huge milestone possible including the Canadian Prairies Fire Exchange and Rural Municipality of Stuartburn, Intact for funding via their Municipal Climate Resiliency Grants, Nature Manitoba, and Sea Hawk and Acres Emergency Vehicles for equipment and training.

Association of Manitoba Municipalities
R.M. of Stuartburn Fire Department
Stuartburn neighbourhood
Tolstoi Manitoba Homecoming
Nature Conservancy of Canada / Conservation de la nature Canada
Manitoba Beef Producers

04/20/2026

The Canadian Prairies Prescribed Fire Exchange is looking for a Communications Coordinator. If you have the skills and an interest in prescribed fire, check it out! This is a 4-year term position.

THE CPPFE IS 🔥

Are you passionate about communicating the importance of prescribed fire? We're seeking a dedicated communications coordinator to join our team, based at the Meewasin head office in Saskatoon.

This four-year term position will lead communications and engagement efforts that support training, partnerships, and knowledge sharing across a growing network of practitioners, landowners, and organizations. You'll develop strategic communications, create compelling digital content, support media relations, and translate complex fire science into accessible, engaging stories. From social media and web content to podcasts and multimedia, you’ll play a key role in strengthening awareness and understanding of prescribed fire as a safe and essential land management tool.

💼 Apply by April 30, 2026
📩 Submit your resume and cover letter to [email protected] to be considered
📍 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Read the full job posting here:https://meewasin.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Job-Posting-Communications-Coordinator.pdf

03/20/2026

Our new equipment trailer is all decaled out! A big thank you to our greatest supporters - Intact Financial Corporation, Nature Manitoba, Rural Municipality of Stuartburn, Sea Hawk and Acres Emergency Vehicles! (The all-new RM of Stuartburn decal is coming soon. Remember to get your logo design contest entries in by April 2!)

Sunrise Corner Economic Development Canadian Prairies Prescribed Fire Exchange Stuartburn neighbourhood Tolstoi Manitoba Homecoming Municipality of Emerson-Franklin

03/19/2026

What a fantastic day spent at the 2026 Prairie Fire Summit in Winnipeg yesterday! The new Fort Whyte Alive Buffalo Crossing building was a beautiful place to rub shoulders with both seasoned and up-and-coming prescribed fire practitioners from both Canada and the US.

It was great to see so many of our members there - 14 at last count!

We were happy to share our experiences of starting the first prescribed burn association in Manitoba and to compare them to those of some of the 170+ PBAs in the US. We learned what separates successful and unsuccessful PBAs from Jon Earkes (Pheasants Forever) and how both fire and grazing, when used together, can substantially increase both forage quality/quantity AND biodiversity from Sam Fuhlendorf (Oklahoma State University). Eric Lamb from the University of Saskatchewan and Canadian Prairies Prescribed Fire Exchange shared how public perception of prescribed fire (and fire in general) is changing as both the general public and private landowners move from fear to cautious embrace.

At the end of the day, the SPBA was part of a panel discussion looking at the importance of partnerships for increasing the potential for getting more safe and effective fires on the ground. The upshot was that "organizations helping organizations" is equally as important as "neighbours helping neighbours" and for all of the same reasons.

We made some great connections at the summit and even gained some new members, who we're looking forward to seeing more of at our workshops and on the fire line this spring

03/12/2026

The Prairie Fire Lines season 1 finale is now online!

What goes into developing a prescribed burn association in the Canadian prairie landscape? And how can these programs continue to expand across the country?

In this episode, Cat explores these questions with Stuartburn Prescribed Burn Association (SPBA) president Laura Reeves and treasurer Dan Rapinda. Together, they discuss how PBAs are established and the important role they play in addressing community needs such as reducing wildfire risk and restoring endangered grassland and tallgrass prairie ecosystems.

Laura and Dan will also be showcasing their PBA at the Prairie Fire Summit next Wednesday in Winnipeg!

Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or at https://www.grasslandfire.ca/prairie-fire-lines 🎧

03/05/2026

Registration deadline is March 9! Don't miss out!

Our Prairie Fire Summit is now starting half an hour early to make room for even more exciting presentations!
Registration will remain open at 9 a.m. with presentations starting at 9:30.
Haven't registered yet? Make sure to do so before the March 9 deadline:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cppfe-prairie-fire-summit-tickets-1978654890040?aff=odcleoeventsincollection&keep_tld=1

03/03/2026

Unfortunately, there will be no TREX in Stuartburn this year, but we have funds to help a couple of our members attend the Oskana Plains TREX. Participants must have proof of completing the Intro to Prescribed Fire in the Grassland Environment and ICS-100 courses, which we also have limited funds to help our members complete. You can apply for TREX before you've completed the courses, but you need to have completed them (successfully) before the event.

As we've said before, we can't understate the value of participating in a TREX event! The amount of planning and preparation needed for one of these events is way beyond what the SPBA is capable of, so we highly recommend taking advantage of this exceptional opportunity provided by the Canadian Prairies Prescribed Fire Exchange.

If you're interested, please shoot us an email at [email protected].

Application deadline is March 10!

Applications are now open for the first-ever Oskana Plains TREX, taking place April 20-24, 2026 in the Regina region!

Join SaskParks and the Canadian Prairies Prescribed Fire Exchange for hands-on prescribed fire training in grassland and aspen parkland ecosystems. Participants will gain real-world experience working on active burn teams. No prior prescribed fire experience is required. And thanks to funding from the Weston Family Prairie Grasslands Initiative, registration is free!

📅Apply by March 10, 2026 at 12 pm CST.

Spots are limited - visit our website at https://www.grasslandfire.ca/events/regina-trex to view the full training announcement.

Apply here: https://forms.gle/8sucs8q71rZEwgeX8

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TREX Prescribed Fire Training Exchange Meewasin

02/06/2026

We're looking forward to sharing our experience with starting a prescribed burn association at the Prairie Fire Summit in Winnipeg!