Four more forest fires hit Manitoba Saturday, bringing the province’s total up to 448 for the year.

Currently, 165 of those fires are still active, according to the province, with 135 of those in the northeast region of the province.

With the Manitoba fires, and the addition of fires across the prairies and northern territories, many parts of Manitoba could see smoky conditions. That includes Flin Flon, where according to Environment Canada, the air quality was an issue just after noon. Conditions were expected to improve throughout the weekend with a cold front coming through the region.

Crews were working to suppress the fires near Flin Flon with the help of Saskatchewan Fire.

On Friday, the firefighting efforts included 21 helicopters, six water bombers, and 215 extra firefighters. On top of that, a water bomber has come from Newfoundland and Labrador, and 13 extra firefighters made the trip from Minnesota earlier in the week, as part of the mutual resource-sharing agreement the province has with other jurisdictions.

But Manitoba’s fires are threatening other provinces as well. A forest fire 47 kilometers northwest of Lynn Lake has crept up to within 2 km of the community of Kinoosao, Sask., forcing crews to set up pumps and sprinklers to protect 30 structures in the community.

A provincial spokesman said there were no new reports of evacuations in the province.

With warm temperatures and dry weather continuing, the province is calling on people to be careful in forested areas. That includes when having fires, which must be under permit or in approved fire pits, as well as caution when driving ATV’s in forested areas.

Wildfires can be reported by calling 911, or the forest fire tip line at 1-800-782-0076 (toll free). More wildfire prevention information can be found at www.gov.mb.ca/wildfire/.

jfriesen@postmedia.com