Media releases

Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service responds to a fire on Main Street

City of Winnipeg — 10/01/2026 - 07:01

Winnipeg, MB – At 2:58 a.m. on Thursday, October 1, 2026, the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service responded to a monitored fire alarm at Main Street Project in the 600 block of Main Street.

When crews arrived, they found smoke inside the building and evacuated all occupants. No injuries were reported.

Before firefighters arrived, Main Street Project staff used fire extinguishers in an effort to put out the fire, helping to keep it small and contained. Firefighters then launched an interior fire attack and quickly brought the fire under control at 3:09 a.m.

The fire was confined to a single room, due in large part to the quick actions of Main Street Project staff and the prompt response of firefighters.

Main Street Project remained open with reduced capacity. The City’s Emergency Social Services team worked with Main Street Project staff to support displaced residents, some of whom were accommodated at other shelters in the area.

The fire is under investigation.

Downtown road closures coming to accommodate Truth & Reconciliation walk

City of Winnipeg — 09/29/2026 - 15:55

Winnipeg, MB – A number of Downtown streets will close for a portion of tomorrow, September 30, to accommodate the Southern Chiefs Organization Healing Walk & Pow Wow.

The following streets are closed from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.:

Westbound Forks Market Road from Israel Asper Way to the Forks

Northbound Israel Asper Way from Forks Market Road to York Avenue

Westbound York Avenue from Israel Asper Way to Main Street

Southbound Main Street between York Avenue and Portage Avenue

Eastbound Portage Avenue from Main Street to Hargrave Street

Hargrave Street from St Mary Avenue to Portage Avenue

Additional streets – including northbound Main Street between York Avenue and Portage Avenue – will be closed for periods of time as the event proceeds along the route.

Drivers should plan alternate routes and expect delays through the area.

For regular updates on City of Winnipeg lane closures and to view lane closures of major streets on an interactive map, please visit City of Winnipeg - Lane Closures.

Download and use the Waze app for real-time traffic and incident updates as well as traffic re-route options.

For Transit re-route and schedule information, visit winnipegtransit.com or contact 311.

Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service responds to a fire on Granville Street

City of Winnipeg — 09/28/2026 - 11:02

Winnipeg, MB – At 5:58 a.m. on Monday, September 28, 2026, the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service responded to reports of a fire in a one-and-a-half storey house in the 0 to 100 block of Granville Street.

When crews arrived at the scene, they found smoke coming from the house.

Bystanders were trying to rescue an occupant from the home. Firefighters took over the rescue and removed the individual through a window. Crews then searched the house and confirmed no one else was inside.

Fighters launched an interior fire attack and brought the fire under control at 6:44 a.m.

Paramedics assessed and treated the rescued individual at the scene before transporting them to hospital in stable condition. Paramedics also assessed a bystander with a minor injury. The bystander did not require transport to hospital.

The City’s Emergency Social Services team assisted residents who were displaced by the fire.

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

Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service responds to a fire on Smith Street

City of Winnipeg — 09/27/2026 - 14:20

At 8:27 p.m. on Sunday, September 27, 2026, the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service responded to a monitored fire alarm in a high-rise apartment building in the 100 block of Smith Street.

9-1-1 dispatchers initially declared a second alarm because of the potential scale of the incident and dispatched additional units to the scene.

When crews arrived at the scene, they found fire in one of the suites. Firefighters launched an interior fire attack and brought the fire under control at 8:58 p.m. The fire was contained to the suite where it started.

Some occupants evacuated the building while some were able to shelter in place in their suites. No injuries were reported.

After firefighters extinguished the fire and cleared smoke from the building, most residents were able to return to their suites.

Damage estimates are not available. Preliminary observations suggest the fire was accidental, caused by unattended cooking.

To help prevent kitchen fires, residents should:

Stay in the kitchen while cooking.
Keep oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels, and curtains away from the stovetop.
Heat oil slowly. If cooking oil catches fire and the fire is small and manageable, use a kitchen fire extinguisher or cover the top with a metal lid. Never use water to put out an oil fire.

Marion closing at Panet for railway work

City of Winnipeg — 09/25/2026 - 14:57

Winnipeg, MB – Marion Street will close this weekend between Panet Road and Dupuy Avenue to accommodate rail crossing work.

The full closure will begin at 7 p.m. tonight. We expect to reopen the roadway before 6 a.m. on Monday, September 28.

Transit will be rerouted during the closure. Visit @TransitAlerts on X for updates.

Drivers should plan ahead, use alternate routes, and expect delays.

For updates and an interactive map of City of Winnipeg lane closures, visit our Lane Closures map.

Drivers can also download and use the Waze app for real-time traffic and incident updates.

Applications now open for 2027 Community and Neighbourhood Grant Program

City of Winnipeg — 09/25/2026 - 11:25

Winnipeg, MB - Applications are now open for the 2027 Community and Neighbourhood Grant Program.

The program provides an accessible only portal to apply for operating budget grants. $2.5 million is available for the 2027 intake. Eligible projects can receive up to $150,000 per year.

Funding is available via four streams:

Environmental/Green City:
- Available to organizations that focus on:
  - Climate resiliency
  - Renewable energy
  - Waste diversion
  - Protecting and growing the urban forest

Recreation:
- Available to organizations that improve access to libraries and recreation services promoting active living for all ages and abilities

Community Well-being:
- Available to organizations that:
  - Promote safety and well-being
  - Provide accessible and affordable services to Winnipeggers who need them most

Arts and Culture:
- Available to organizations that:
  - Celebrate,protect and preserve culture
  - Promote community pride and the value of the arts
  - Provide opportunities for civic engagement

Applicants must meet the criteria of one stream. They must also align with the goals and objectives of OurWinnipeg and Council’s Strategic Priorities Action Plan.

Applications close on October 26. For more information visit: winnipeg.ca/communityneighbourhoodgrant

Additional short-term closures coming to South Winnipeg

City of Winnipeg — 09/24/2026 - 16:26

Winnipeg, MB – Additional short-term closures are planned for existing South Winnipeg construction sites over the next few days (weather permitting).

Abinojii Mikanah and Pembina Highway

From 10 p.m. tonight (September 24) to 2 a.m. tomorrow (September 25):

Northbound Pembina will be intermittently closed at the Abinojii Mikanah for a maximum of 10 minutes at a time

All day Saturday (September 26) and Sunday (September 27):

Northbound Pembina will be reduced to one lane between Adamar Road and Chancellor Drive

Saturday September 26 only:

The ramp from northbound Pembina to westbound Abinojii Mikanah will be closed
- The left-turn ramp from westbound Abinojii Mikanah to southbound Pembina will be closed
All westbound vehicles on the ramp must turn right (northbound) on Pembina

Sunday September 27 only:

The ramp from eastbound Abinojii Mikanah onto northbound Pembina will be closed
- All eastbound vehicles on the ramp must turn right (southbound) on Pembina
There will be no access onto Pembina Highway from northbound University Crescent
- All northbound vehicles on University must exit onto the eastbound Abinojii Mikanah ramp
There will be no left turns from southbound Pembina onto southbound University
- There is no access from northbound Pembina onto the eastbound Abinojii Mikanah ramp

Abinojii Mikanah at River Road

We are adjusting traffic restrictions on Abinojii Mikanah at River Road to accommodate traffic to and from tomorrow night’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers game.

We will maintain two lanes of travel on westbound Abinojii Mikanah at River Road leading up to kickoff.
We will also open up a second lane of eastbound travel at the end of the game to accommodate egress.

Bison Block Party

Chancellor Matheson Road will close fully between Rh Way (Service 2 St. NW) and University Crescent Saturday September 26 to accommodate the Bison Block Party. The closures will be in place from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

For all closures, drivers should plan ahead, use alternate routes, and expect delays.

For updates and an interactive map of City of Winnipeg lane closures, visit our Lane Closures map.

Drivers can also download and use the Waze app for real-time traffic and incident updates.

Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service responds to a fire on Laura Street

City of Winnipeg — 09/22/2026 - 14:13

Winnipeg, MB – At 10:05 p.m. on Monday, September 21, 2026, the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service responded to reports of a fire in a vacant house threatening a neighbouring house in the 200 block of Laura Street.

At the scene, crews found heavy smoke and flames coming from the building and spreading to the house next door.

Firefighters attacked the fire and declared it under control at 11:29 p.m. No injuries were reported. The fire is under investigation. This house sustained damage from previous fires.

Vacant buildings

If you see someone actively entering a vacant building, or removing boards from windows or doors from a building, call 9-1-1 to report the incident immediately.

If you notice boarded windows or doors that have been breached, but you do not see someone actively entering or trying to enter the building, report the incident to 311 by phone or online.

Winnipeg Public Library announces 2026-2027 Writer-in-Residence

City of Winnipeg — 09/22/2026 - 13:57

Winnipeg, MB – The Winnipeg Public Library is pleased to announce that Sally Ito is its new Writer-in-Residence for 2026-2027. Her term begins on October 1, 2026.

Sally Ito is a Japanese Canadian writer, translator, and instructor of creative writing. Her most recent book is Heart's Hydrography (poetry) published by Turnstone Press in 2022. She has published two works of translation with co-translators: Are You an Echo: The Lost Poetry of Misuzu Kaneko (2016) and Wonder-Work: Selected Sonnets of Catharina Regina Von Greiffenberg (2023). Ito teaches writing at Canadian Mennonite University and is an active artist and mudlarker.

"What is a library? Bibliothèque. Bibliothek. Toshokan. Ayamihcikêwikamik. These are the words for 'library' in the languages of this place,” said Ito. “For me, the library is a House of Culture-in-Words. As this year's Writer-in-Residence, I feel honoured to serve the community of readers and writers for which the library is the focal point. I look forward to the many interactions I will have with people who love to read, write, and learn about words, text, and language."

Ito will provide one-on-one consultations, writing workshops, and facilitate a writer’s circle. Her term also includes time to work on a writing project.

The Writer-in-Residence is a free service for emerging and established Manitoba writers of all genres. Manuscripts for review can be submitted by email or by mail. Visit winnipeg.ca/writerinres for complete submission guidelines.

Ito’s term as Writer-in-Residence at the Winnipeg Public Library runs until April 30, 2027.

The Writer-in-Residence program is funded by the City of Winnipeg, the Winnipeg Public Library Board, the Friends of the Winnipeg Public Library, and Manitoba Sport, Culture, Heritage and Tourism.

Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service responds to fires on Morley Avenue and Flora Avenue

City of Winnipeg — 09/20/2026 - 16:17

Winnipeg, MB – On Sunday, September 20, 2026, the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) responded to two structure fires.

Morley Avenue fire

At 7:57 a.m. on Sunday, September 20, 2026, the WFPS responded to reports of a fire in a house in the 300 block of Morley Avenue.

At the scene, crews found heavy smoke and flames coming from the house. Firefighters switched between offensive and defensive attacks until they declared the fire under control at 1:07 p.m.

No injuries were reported. The fire is under investigation. No damage estimates are available.

Flora Avenue fire

At 1:28 p.m. on Sunday, September 20, 2026, WFPS responded to reports of a fire in a vacant and boarded apartment building in the 600 block of Flora Avenue.

At the scene, crews found a well-involved fire. Firefighters used a defensive strategy to attack the fire as it was unsafe to enter the building.

Firefighters declared the fire under control at 3:11 p.m. No injuries were reported. The fire is under investigation. No damage estimates are available.

This building sustained damages from previous fires in July 2025, December 2024, and November 9, 2024, and November 27, 2024.

Vacant buildings

If you see someone actively entering a vacant building, or removing boards from windows or doors from a building, call 9-1-1 to report the incident immediately.

If you notice boarded windows or doors that have been breached, but you do not see someone actively entering or trying to enter the building, report the incident to 311 by phone or online.