Manitoba Conservation officers have arrested a person who ignored backcountry travel restrictions last month.

On July 15 a conservation officer and park patrol officer from Lac du Bonnet district were given a tip that a person was kayaking on Gem Lake in Nopiming Provincial Park. At the time all backcountry travel was prohibited due to extremely high risk of fire.

According to the province the individual had been told that the restrictions were in place the day previously but returned to the area after crews from Manitoba Wildfire Service left the Gem Lake staging area.

The man was located at the Gem Lake trailhead and when officers questioned his intentions he became hostile and refused to cooperate. The male was placed in custody and charged under the Wilfires Act for entering a designated area during a closed period without a permit and with obstructing an officer. He faces fines of more than $3,000 if convicted.

Information about backcountry travel restrictions can be found at www.gov.mb.ca/wildfire/

© News4.ca 2021