Winnipeg, MB – Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) crews responded to a couple grass/brush fire incidents on Thursday, May 10, including:
Mission Street
At approximately 14:57, WFPS crews responded to a grass fire in a ditch in the 800 block of Mission Street. Minor damage to a hydro pole was reported, no evacuations required, no injuries reported, and the cause is under investigation.
Rillwood Place
At approximately 21:56, WFPS crews responded to a brush fire in the area of Rillwood Place. No damage reported, no evacuations required, no injuries reported, and the cause is under investigation.
Residents are reminded 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. In addition, WFPS is not issuing consumer fireworks permits. These measures will be lifted when environmental conditions improve.
“We typically see a number of consumer fireworks permit applications leading up to long weekends. However, in light of the tinder dry conditions, we are not issuing consumer fireworks permits at this time,” said Mark Reshaur, Assistant Chief with WFPS. “Setting off fireworks in such dry conditions elevates the risk of dangerous grass and brush fires, which is why we’ve taken this measure.”
From January 1 to May 10, 2018, WFPS responded to 57 grass/brush fires. In 2017, WFPS responded to a total of 85 grass/brush fires for the year.
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.