Eight people have been arrested for violating travel and fire bans in eastern Manitoba, including around Whiteshell Provincial Park, where there are tinder dry conditions.

All of those arrested on Sunday knew that a ban was in place, said Earl Simmons of Manitoba Conservation.

Seven people were charged with violating the ban and one for having a fire, he said. Each person arrested was fined $450.

Police acted because people were "smashing our barricades or our firetape across the trails showing it was closed and just totally disregarding our signs," Simmons said.

"Officers went out and tried to speak to these people so they would comply voluntarily and they chose not to," he said.

Tinder dry conditions

The ban was put in place around the Whiteshell, Sandilands and Hadashville because of tinder dry conditions and fears that lives could be put in danger.

While most people have complied with the ban, some campers were determined to go into the back country to hold parties, Simmons said.

Right now there are 12 fires burning in the Whiteshell area, but they are under control, he said, adding the travel and fire ban in the park will remain in place until the area gets a significant amount of rain.