Winnipeg, MB – Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) crews responded to a number of grass/brush fire incidents on Tuesday, May 8, including:
Waverley Street
At approximately 07:54, WFPS crews responded to a grass fire in the area of Waverley Street and Taylor Avenue. No injuries reported, and the cause is under investigation.
Huddersfield Place
At approximately 17:48, WFPS crews responded to a fire in a tree in the area of Huddersfield Place. No damage to structures, no evacuations required, no injuries reported, and the cause is under investigation.
Laxdal Road
At approximately 18:41, WFPS crews responded to a grass fire in the area of Laxdal Road and Grant Avenue. No damage to structures, no evacuations required, no injuries reported, and the cause is under investigation.
Balgona Road
At approximately 19:46, WFPS crews responded to a grass fire in a ditch in the 1300 block of Balgona Road. No damage to structures, no evacuations required, no injuries reported, and the cause is under investigation.
Provencher Boulevard
At approximately 23:01, WFPS crews responded to a fire in the area of Provencher Boulevard and Nadeau Street. No damage to structures, no evacuations required, no injuries reported, and the cause is under investigation.
Please note that all open-air fires are temporarily prohibited due to the extreme dry weather conditions in the Winnipeg area which increases the risk of dangerous fires, such as grass, brush, and wildfires. The ban will be lifted when environmental conditions improve.
From January 1 to May 8, 2018, WFPS have responded to 55 grass/brush fires. In 2017, WFPS responded to a total of 85 grass/brush fires for the year.
“We would like to remind residents that the temporary open-air fire ban is still in effect, and urge residents not to start open-air fires unless using an outdoor natural gas appliance such as a barbecue,” said Tom Wallace, Deputy Chief of Support Services with WFPS. “Forecasted strong winds today increase the risk of wildland fires, as the wind can carry embers to different locations and create additional hotspots.”
WFPS and WPS encourage all residents to be safe and also active in reporting suspicious or irresponsible behaviour by phoning 911. Do not approach active fire incidents – it is dangerous to do so, and you put yourself at great risk as conditions can rapidly change.