Media releases

Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service responds to a structure fire on Alfred Avenue and a wildland fire on Archibald Street

City of Winnipeg — 05/16/2026 - 10:33

Winnipeg, MB –The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) responded to overnight fires.

Alfred Avenue fire

At 2:43 a.m. on Saturday, May 16, 2026, WFPS responded to reports of a fire in the 400 Alfred Avenue.

At the scene, crews found a fire in a residential property. Firefighters attacked the fire and declared it under control at 3:12 a.m. No injuries were reported. The fire is under investigation.

Archibald Street grass fire

At 2:58 a.m. on Saturday, May 16, 2026, WFPS responded to reports of a grass fire and wildland fire near Archibald Street and Elizabeth Road. At the scene, crews found a grass fire covering an area about half the size of a football field.

Firefighters attacked the fire using specialized wildland firefighting equipment. Firefighters declared the fire under control at 4:55 a.m.

No injuries were reported. The fire is under investigation.

Preventing wildland fires

The WFPS urges residents to take precautions as it monitors an elevated risk for wildland and grass fires, driven by forecasted winds.

Wildland fires in Winnipeg are typically wind-driven ground fires involving grass, brush, and dead plant matter. These fires can spread quickly, threatening property and, in some cases, causing extensive damage.

 Follow all fire safety regulations:

You cannot have an open-air fire in Winnipeg when wind speeds or gusts exceed 25 km/h. This includes fires in approved backyard fire pits, fires in City parks and any other open-air fire, even with a permit.

Never throw cigarette butts in vegetation, planter pots, or from vehicles.

Talk to your children about the dangers of starting fires.

If you see a fire, call 9-1-1 immediately.

For more information, visit:
Wildland fires – Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service – City of Winnipeg

Winnipeg recognizes paramedics and their impact on patient care

City of Winnipeg — 05/15/2026 - 16:40

Winnipeg, MB – Paramedic Services Week runs May 17–23, and the City of Winnipeg is recognizing the paramedics whose work impacts lives across our community every day.

“Paramedic Services Week is an opportunity to recognize the extraordinary work Winnipeg’s paramedics do every day to care for residents in moments of crisis and uncertainty,” said Mayor Scott Gillingham. “Paramedics bring professionalism, compassion, and calmness to some of the most difficult situations people will ever face. As our city continues to grow and emergency call volumes increase, we are grateful for their dedication to public service and ongoing commitment to improving outcomes for patients and families across Winnipeg.”

“Our paramedics are leaders in delivering innovative, patient-centred care,” said Fire and Paramedic Chief Christian Schmidt. “They combine advanced clinical skills with empathy and a deep commitment to those they serve. I’m proud of the work our teams do every day to make a difference when it matters most.”

This year’s theme, Improving Outcomes, Together, reflects the partnerships that make this work possible - within the service, across the healthcare system, and throughout the community.

The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service employs more than 650 licensed paramedics across a range of specialized roles, including Primary and Advanced Care Paramedics, Community Paramedics, Firefighter-Paramedics, Tactical Emergency Medical Services, and operational leaders.

Paramedics in Winnipeg may arrive on an ambulance or fire apparatus and begin immediate care, including wound treatment, life support, medications, and cardiac monitoring. Advanced Care Paramedics provide advanced life support and specialized procedures, while Advanced Care Paramedic Practitioners deliver enhanced care for high-risk patients, including infants and children.

Community Paramedics extend care beyond emergency response, supporting vulnerable residents through programs like EPIC, working in shelters, and providing triage services to connect patients with appropriate care. Tactical Emergency Medical Services paramedics deliver care in high-risk environments alongside police.

In 2025, WFPS responded to approximately 110,000 medical incidents, including 9-1-1 calls, inter-facility transfers, and community-based care.

Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service responds to wildland fire in Assiniboine Forest

City of Winnipeg — 05/15/2026 - 07:26

Winnipeg, MB – At 7:31 p.m. on Thursday, May 14, 2026, the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) responded to reports of a wildland fire in the Assiniboine Forest.

When crews arrived at the scene, they located a fire that was nearing the size of a football field. Using specialized wildland firefighting equipment, firefighters initiated a fire attack. The fire was declared under control at 8:25 p.m.

No injuries were reported. The fire is under investigation but is believed to be caused by human activity.

Preventing wildland fires

The WFPS is urging residents to take precautions as it monitors an elevated risk for wildland and grass fires, driven by dry conditions and forecasted winds.

Wildfires in Winnipeg are typically wind-driven ground fires involving grass, brush, and dead plant matter. These fires can spread quickly, threatening property and, in some cases, causing extensive damage.

WFPS reminds residents to follow all fire safety regulations:

Fires cannot be started when wind speeds or gusts exceed 25 km/h. This includes fires in approved backyard fire pits, fires in City parks and any other open-air fire, even with a permit.
Never discard cigarette butts in vegetation, planter pots, or from vehicles.
Educate children about the dangers of starting fires.
If you see a fire, call 9-1-1 immediately.

For more information, visit:
Wildland fires – Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service – City of Winnipeg

Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service responds to fires on Powers Street and Lincoln Avenue

City of Winnipeg — 05/14/2026 - 14:45

Winnipeg, MB – The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) responded to two structure fires this morning.

Powers Street fire

At 11:28 a.m. on Thursday, May 14, 2026, WFPS crews responded to reports of a fire in a 12-storey high-rise apartment building in the 100 block of Powers Street.

Upon arrival on scene, crews found heavy smoke coming from the building. Firefighters entered, located a fire in one of the suites and initiated a fire attack. The fire was declared under control at 11:52 a.m. It was contained to single suite, but other neighbouring suites sustained some smoke and water damage.

Some occupants of the building self-evacuated and some were evacuated by crews. No injuries were reported.

The fire is under investigation. Damage estimates are not available.

Lincoln Avenue fire

At 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 14, 2026, the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service responded to reports of a fire in a one-and-a-half storey house in the 1300 block of Lincoln Avenue.

When crews arrived on scene, they found smoke coming from the house. Firefighters entered the house and initiated an interior fire attack. The fire was declared under control at 10:22 a.m.

Firefighters searched the house and no occupants were found. There were no injuries reported.

Preliminary observations suggest the fire was accidental. Damage estimates are not available.

Annual mosquito control program underway

City of Winnipeg — 05/14/2026 - 11:33

Winnipeg, MB – Our annual efforts to keep those pesky mosquitoes from sucking the fun out of summer is now underway.

Crews began our proactive mosquito larviciding program last week. Larviciding is the

most effective approach to control mosquitoes. It targets mosquito larvae in the aquatic stage before they emerge as adult mosquitoes.

This season’s mosquito control program will continue to be based on an environmentally mindful strategy.

It will include:

A 100% biorational larviciding program using ground equipment and four helicopters
Monitoring and treating over 28,000 hectares of water area on an ongoing basis based on weather conditions
Monitoring for adult nuisance mosquitoes in New Jersey Light Traps with the first trap counts posted on May 11, 2026 on the Insect Control website
Adult mosquito treatments as required

Adult mosquito treatment would only be initiated if the requirements of the City policy, the AFA Guidelines, and the Provincial Pesticide Use Permit are met.

We will conduct any required adult nuisance mosquito control using DeltaGard 20EW^®

We will prioritize areas with highest nuisance mosquito populations and respect any buffer zones in place
We will notify the public 24 hours ahead of any fogging activities and provide daily updates on where treatment will occur that night

Larviciding with helicopters

In accordance with Transport Canada’s Civil Aviation Division, our contractor operates under a low flight waiver to apply larvicides at low altitudes.

When larviciding is occurring above places where people congregate (like athletic fields, larger parks, golf courses, etc.), we will close the area to the public for the duration of our treatment as well as 20 minutes before and after.

We will try to minimize disruption to the public by posting signage approximately 24 hours in advance of any planned treatment. We will also treat these in early morning and using longer lasting larvicides to limit the number of applications required over the season.

Buffer zones

Buffer zones make it so we can’t apply DeltaGard within 90 metres of a specific property.

Residents can apply for a buffer zone adjacent to their principal residence. Applications must include a letter and photo ID linking you to the address in question. They can be submitted:

By fax to 311
In writing to the Insect Control Branch at 3 Grey Street, Winnipeg MB R2L 1V2
In-person at 1539 Waverley St.

A minimum 72-hour turnaround time is required.

Do your part

We also encourage residents to stop mosquitos from multiplying on private properties. People can eliminate standing water by following our #draindumpcover protocol:

Drain water from eavestroughing or unused containers
Dump standing water from containers like wheelbarrows, bird baths, and kiddie pools when they aren’t in use
Cover rainwater collection containers and undrainables like larger pools and water tables

Residents can also fill low-lying areas where water pools and treat their properties with commercially available pesticides.

Register for notification

We provide an automated daily telephone and email notification system for insect control activities. Residents can register online or by contacting 311.

For more information, visit winnipeg.ca/insectcontrol

Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service warns of heightened fire risk amid dry, windy conditions

City of Winnipeg — 05/13/2026 - 20:56

Winnipeg, MB – The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) is urging residents to take precautions as it monitors an elevated risk for wildland and grass fires, driven by dry conditions and forecasted winds.

Wildfires in Winnipeg are typically wind-driven ground fires involving grass, brush, and dead plant matter. In a typical year, WFPS responds to approximately 200 of these fires within city limits. These fires can spread quickly, threatening property and, in some cases, causing extensive damage.

“Until it greens up or we get some significant rain, there is an increased risk for grass and wildland fires, particularly when we have high winds,” said Scott Wilkinson, Deputy Chief, Fire Rescue Operations and Training.

“Almost all wildland fires are the result of human activity. We are asking residents to be cautious and take steps to prevent these fires. It’s also important for property owners near wildland areas to properly maintain their yards to reduce their risks.”

Protecting your property

Residents are encouraged to take proactive steps to reduce fire risk around their homes:

Thin and prune vegetation, removing brush, leaves, grass, and debris.
Choose fire-resistant plants and avoid highly flammable species.
Water vegetation around your home, especially during dry conditions.
Store firewood at least 10 metres away from structures.
Place approved fire pits in open areas away from overhanging trees.

Preventing grass and wildland fires

WFPS reminds residents to follow all fire safety regulations:

Fires cannot be started when wind speeds or gusts exceed 25 km/h. This includes fires in approved backyard fire pits, fires in City parks and any other open-air fire, even with a permit.
Never discard cigarette butts in vegetation, planter pots, or from vehicles.
Educate children about the dangers of starting fires.
If you see a fire, call 9-1-1 immediately.

In recent years, WFPS has strengthened its wildfire response capabilities with specialized equipment, including the Bison, compressed air-foam snuffers, pumper tankers, and off-road vehicles for accessing hard-to-reach areas.

Preventing smoking-related fires

With current weather conditions increasing fire risk, WFPS is also reminding residents to be especially careful with smoking materials. The Service has responded to several recent fires believed to be caused by improper disposal of cigarette butts.

Improperly discarded smoking materials can smoulder for hours and ignite fires that spread to decks, homes, or nearby green spaces.

To prevent these fires:

Dispose of smoking materials in proper ashtrays or deep metal containers on stable surfaces.
Never smoke in bed or on upholstered furniture.
Avoid smoking if you are drowsy or impaired.
Fully extinguish cigarette butts by soaking them in water or sand.
Keep smoking materials out of reach of children.
Never discard cigarette butts from balconies, decks, or vehicle windows.
Do not use plant pots as ashtrays, as they may contain combustible materials.

Stay informed

WFPS will continue to monitor weather conditions and respond as needed. Residents are encouraged to follow weather forecasts, take necessary precautions, stay vigilant and report fires immediately.

For more information, visit:
Wildland fires – Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service – City of Winnipeg

Winnipeg Public Library announces the next Maker-in-Residence

City of Winnipeg — 05/13/2026 - 14:41

Winnipeg, MB – The Winnipeg Public Library is pleased to announce Cato Cormier as the next Maker-in-Residence at the Library.

Cato Cormier (she/they) is an illustrator and comics artist from Montréal who now lives in Winnipeg, on Treaty 1 territory. Her artwork is sometimes boisterous, sometimes sentimental, and is filled with unusual, eccentric characters. At the heart of her storytelling there is a desire to connect with others, often through humour.

“My practice encompasses drawing, painting, illustration, comic and zine making, and animation”, said Cormier. “I am excited to share my techniques and create a safe space for self-expression, learning, and community-building.”

Cato Cormier’s term will run from May 25 to August 21, 2026. Throughout the program, which operates out of the ideaMILL at Millennium Library, the maker will offer weekly drop-in studio sessions that invite visitors into the creative process and provide activities to learn new skills. The maker will also offer workshops at library branches throughout the city.

Cormier is the second of the three makers who will share expertise with the public in 2026. The final Maker-in-Residence term for 2026 will take place later this fall.

For more information on the program, visit: winnipeg.ca/makerinresidence. 

For a schedule of upcoming drop-in and registered programs, visit: winnipeg.ca/library.

Winnipeg secures additional $4 million to accelerate homebuilding while meeting all housing targets

City of Winnipeg — 05/13/2026 - 13:20

Winnipeg, MB – The City of Winnipeg has been on schedule for all its housing targets and has secured an additional $4.05 million from the Housing Accelerator Fund to keep that momentum going.

As a condition of this new funding, we are increasing our housing supply target by 150 units. The overall target is now 14,251 new homes by December 2026.

“Our government is removing barriers and cutting red tape to enable more housing in communities across Canada," said the Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada. “We reward local governments that are delivering real results and building more homes faster. By reinvesting in proven success, we are helping more Canadians access the housing they need.”

“This performance bonus is a direct result of our commitment to change how we build in Winnipeg,” said Mayor Scott Gillingham. “We’re cutting red tape, modernizing our processes and working with the federal and provincial governments and other partners to get more homes built across Winnipeg. This additional $4 million allows us to further accelerate our efforts to ensure every Winnipegger has a place to call home.”

“Winnipeg is proving that when you prioritize housing, you can deliver,” said Councillor Evan Duncan, Chair of the Standing Policy Committee on Property and Development. “We set ambitious targets with CMHC and are on pace to exceed them, and this additional funding shows we are leading the way in building the homes our growing city needs.”

The additional funding comes alongside our annual payment of $30.6 million from Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). This installment is the third of four scheduled payments that make up the City’s original $122.4 million HAF agreement with CMHC. The annual HAF installment confirms we are on-track to meet our housing unit targets and have met all milestones in the agreement.

We had reported 9,716 new permitted housing units at our two-year reporting deadline on December 4, 2025. This included 1,046 affordable units. The two-year target for housing units was 8,521, showing we had achieved 114% of our two-year target.

Council will consider recommendations for spending the additional funds in the coming months.

More information on our HAF progress is available online: winnipeg.ca/HAF.

Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service responds to a fire on Sutherland Avenue

City of Winnipeg — 05/12/2026 - 19:06

Winnipeg, MB – At 4:19 p.m. on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service responded to reports of a fire in a vacant, multi-storey industrial building on Sutherland Avenue between Maple Street North and Argyle Street North.

The building was previously gutted by a fire on July 4, 2023. Several other significant fires have occurred at the location since then.

Upon arrival, crews observed flames coming from the roof of the remaining intact portion of the building. Firefighters initiated an exterior attack, using an aerial ladder truck and hand lines to apply water to the fire. The fire was declared under control at 5:10 p.m.

The fire is believed to be accidental and is thought to have been caused by hot work being conducted by contractors on the roof. All workers safely self-evacuated before crews arrived on scene. No injuries were reported.

Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service responds to fires on Hargrave Street and Nassau Street South

City of Winnipeg — 05/12/2026 - 14:43

Winnipeg, MB – The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) responded to two structure fires this morning.

Hargrave Street fire

At 8:42 a.m. on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, the WFPS responded to reports of a fire on a balcony of a high-rise apartment building in the 300 block of Hargrave Street.

When crews arrived on scene, they found smoke and flames coming from the balcony of an upper floor. They launched a fire attack and quickly brought the fire under control before it extended into the building.

Most occupants were able to shelter in place in their suites. No injuries were reported.

Damage estimates are not available. Preliminary findings indicate the fire was accidental and likely caused by the careless disposal of smoking materials.

Preventing Smoking-Related Fires

The WFPS has responded to several fires over the past week believed to be caused by the careless disposal of smoking materials. These fires can be prevented.

We are reminding everyone to follow these important safety tips to help prevent smoking-related fires:

Always dispose of smoking materials in a proper ashtray or deep metal container. Place the container on a stable surface, well away from anything that can burn.
Never smoke in bed or on surfaces that can easily ignite, such as upholstered furniture.
Stay fully alert while smoking. Avoid smoking if you feel drowsy or have taken medication or substances that may impair your awareness.
Ensure ashes and cigarette butts are completely extinguished before disposal. The safest approach is to soak them in water or sand.
Keep cigarettes, lighters, matches and related materials out of reach of children, or store them securely.
Never discard cigarette butts from balconies, decks or vehicle windows. Avoid disposing of them near grass, leaves, brush or other vegetation.
Do not use plant pots as ashtrays. Potting soil often contains combustible materials such as peat moss and shredded wood. A cigarette butt can smoulder for hours, eventually generating enough heat to crack the container. This allows oxygen to enter and can cause a fire that may spread to nearby structures like decks, balconies or walls.

Nassau Street South fire

At 11:15 a.m. on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, WFPS crews responded to reports of a fire in a two-storey townhouse structure in the 700 block of Nassau Street South.

Upon arrival on scene, crews found smoke coming from the building. They launched an interior fire attack, declaring the fire under control at 11:36 a.m.

As a precaution, occupants from one other suite were evacuated by crews. They were able to No injuries were reported.

The City’s Emergency Social Services team was activated to provide temporary support to displaced residents.

Damage estimates are not available.

The fire is under investigation.