The Manitoba government is investing $1.2 million to transform how weather and fire-mapping information is collected and utilized by the Manitoba Wildfire Service (MWS), Innovation and New Technology Minister Mike Moroz and Natural Resources and Indigenous Futures Minister Ian Bushie announced last Saturday.
“This is about making Manitobans safer during emergencies and using the power of technology to bring Manitoba’s information systems into the future,” said Moroz. “By integrating advanced mapping tools and data platforms, we are creating a system that is more responsive, more reliable, and more effective at supporting the safety and health of Manitobans during the wildfire season.”
The Manitoba wildfire management system overhaul information technology project calls for the immediate implementation of an advanced weather information system and a fire-mapping application to replace systems currently in use by MWS.
“These upgrades will be a great addition to the Manitoba Wildfire Service and will allow for faster, more informed decisions during the wildfire season,” said Bushie. “This investment ensures the Manitoba Wildfire Service has accurate information about changing weather or fire risks when they need it to effectively combat fires and protect lives and property.”
Advanced digital platforms will harness real-time data, and modern information system modelling tools, Moroz noted, adding the upgrades will allow for faster, more accurate reporting and improved access to critical information.
These are the first in a series of critical upgrades being undertaken as part of this multi-year technology modernization project, Bushie added, which will provide MWS with the tools, information and intelligence needed to protect Manitobans.
The upgraded platforms are expected to be fully operational by 2026, the ministers said.
