Fire crews battle blaze size of a football field

Fire crews fought a fire the size of a football field at an East Kildonan park on Monday afternoon.

Shortly before 3:30 p.m., the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service responded to reports of a grass fire at Kilcona Park. 

Crews arrived at the scene to a grass and bush fire, covering the size of a football field. A fire attack was quickly launched using specialized wildland firefighting equipment.

Crews knocked the fire down in under 20 minutes.

No injuries were reported.

With the dry conditions in Winnipeg, fire crews are reminding residents to take steps to reduce the risk of these types of fires in our community.

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 types of fires within city limits. This number increases when conditions are drier than normal. These fires often spread quickly and can threaten property, or in some cases, cause extensive damage to properties.

To protect your property, WFPS suggests:

• Thin and prune vegetation, removing trees and cleaning up brush, leaves, grass and debris
• Plant fire-resistant plants and shrubs – avoid flammable plants and trees that accumulate dry, dead material, or have papery bark
• Water plants and vegetation in the area surrounding your home, particularly during dry conditions
• Store firewood at least 10 metres away from structures
• Position your approved fire pits/receptacles in an open area away from overhanging trees

To prevent wildland and grassfires: 

• Remember – fires cannot be started, even with a proper fire permit, if wind speeds and/or gusts exceed 25 km/h
• Only burn clean, dry, untreated wood – do not burn yard waste, garbage, or scrap material on your property, doing so within city limits is prohibited and can result in a fine
• Only use approved outdoor fire receptacles such as fire pits, fireplaces and outdoor BBQs
• Fire pits must be enclosed on all sides and have a spark arrestor
• Always have a means to extinguish the fire readily available
• Do not dispose of cigarette butts in any sort of vegetation (including grass), in planter pots, or from vehicle windows
• Speak to your children about the risks of starting fires

The WFPS has acquired specialized equipment to combat wildfires in recent years. It includes the WFPS Bison, compressed air-foam snuffers, pumper tankers for water supply, and quads to access otherwise difficult-to-reach locations rapidly.