Winnipeg, MB – The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service responded to a structure fire last evening and several wildland fires this morning.
Strathcona Street fire
At 6:24 p.m. on Sunday, May 11, 2025, the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) responded to reports of a fire in a single-family bungalow in the 1200-block of Strathcona Street.
When crews arrived to the scene, they found heavy smoke coming from the house. Crews entered the house and fought the fire from the interior. The fire was declared under control at 6:49 p.m.
All occupants of the house safely self-evacuated prior to the arrival of crews. No injuries were reported. Firefighters located a cat in the house and reunited it with the owners.
Damage estimates are not available. Preliminary observations suggest the fire was accidental, caused by a faulty extension cord.
Wildland fires
WFPS crews responded to several wildland/grass fires this morning.
- Whittier Park (St. Joseph Street)
- 2900 block of McPhillips Street
- 1100 block of Logan Avenue
All three fires were quickly contained and extinguished.
Last week, the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) issued a fire ban for the city of Winnipeg, effective 6 p.m. on Monday, May 5, 2025, until 6 p.m. on Monday, May 19, 2025.
With very hot, dry and windy conditions forecast over the next few days, it’s important that residents abide by the ban and take precautions to prevent fires.
This ban prohibits all residents from engaging in the following activities, even if a permit has previously been issued:
- Open fires
- Backyard fire pits
- Fireworks
- Fire pits in City parks
- Use of solid fuel-burning appliances, including charcoal and wood-burning barbecues.
Existing permits are suspended, and no new permits will be issued for the duration of the fire ban. Violations of this ban are subject to a $500 fine under the Neighbourhood Liveability By-law.
The use of backyard barbecues, fire tables and household smokers fueled by propane or natural gas, is permitted, as they are contained and do not emit sparks or embers. Smokers and barbecues that use pellets are allowed and should be used with caution. Enclosed smokers and electric smokers are allowed unless they emit sparks and embers. Be careful when you dispose of the residue from a smoker.
Residents are also asked to be cautious when smoking cigarettes or other smoking products. Butts must be disposed of safely to prevent fires.
- Extinguish smoking materials in a deep and wide metal ashtray filled partway with sand or water.
- If you put butts in the garbage, douse them with water first.
- Never use a planter pot as an ashtray because potting soil is a mix of dirt and organic materials that can catch on fire. If you put your butt out in a planter, it can smoulder for several hours, heat up and crack the planter. This adds oxygen to the smouldering butt and can lead to a fire that can quickly spread to a building hours after the butt was first put in the planter
- To avoid a grass fire, never throw butts out a car window and never extinguish smoking materials on the ground.
Residents should call 9-1-1 if they see a fire. To report restricted activities during a fire ban, residents are asked to contact 311.
More information is available at winnipeg.ca/firebans.