Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service responds to fires on Manitoba Avenue and Higgins Avenue

Extended Snow Route Parking Ban in effect starting tomorrow night

Parking prohibited on snow routes between midnight and 7 a.m.

Released: 2:13 p.m.

Winnipeg, MB – In anticipation of the forecasted snow and to facilitate snow clearing efforts, an Extended Snow Route Parking Ban will be in effect starting Thursday, April 14, 2022 at 12 a.m. (midnight when Wednesday turns to Thursday).

While in effect, the Extended Snow Route Parking Ban prohibits parking on snow routes between midnight and 7 a.m.

Snow routes are clearly marked with signs like these:

Residents are encouraged to check streets for snow route signs, or if unsure, use our online address lookup tool , the Know Your Zone mobile app, our interactive snow route map, or by contacting 311. We are urging residents to make arrangements to move their vehicles onto side streets.

Vehicles parked in violation of the Extended Snow Route Parking Ban may receive a $100 ticket ($75 if paid early), and may be towed.

The Extended Snow Route Parking Ban will be in place until snow clearing is completed and the public will be notified when the ban is lifted.

Motorists are reminded to drive to conditions and to use extreme caution when driving near heavy equipment working.

About snow routes

Snow routes are a top priority for snow clearing and ice control to ensure that emergency vehicles can navigate quickly and safely around the city. It’s important that vehicles are not parked on snow routes overnight in order to enable rapid and efficient snow clearing and ice control of these critical routes.

Emergency services

Crews will make every effort to keep snow routes clear and passable. Depending on accumulations and as needed, we may position snow plows at Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service stations to ensure vehicles can safely navigate streets. 

Winnipeg Transit service

In case of delays, passengers are advised to check updated schedules on Navigo prior to travelling. Any significant Winnipeg Transit service impacts will be communicated via the @winnipegtransit Twitter account, and information about any potential detours will be posted to the Winnipeg Transit Service Advisories page and the @transitalerts Twitter account.

Winnipeg Transit also has an Emergency Service Plan which is only to be used in the event of an emergency that prevents regular routes from operating. Should the decision be made to put the Emergency Service Plan into effect, members of the public will be notified via banners on the Winnipeg Transit website, notifications on Telebus, on digital bus signage and on Twitter.

To sign up for winter parking ban notifications, to download the City’s Know Your Zone app, and for more information, see: winnipeg.ca/snow.

For more information on the City’s response to the spring blizzard, see: winnipeg.ca/stormresponse and follow us @cityofwinnipeg on Twitter for the latest updates using the hashtag #MBstorm.

City of Winnipeg closures, cancellations & service impacts

Released: 4:41 p.m.

Winnipeg, MB – The following is a comprehensive listing of City of Winnipeg service impacts related to the forecasted storm:

311 Customer Service counters

The Customer Service front-counter located at the Susan A. Thompson Building, 510 Main St., as well as the Bilingual Customer Service Centre, located at 170 Goulet St., are closed to in-person service effective Wednesday, April 13 until further notice.

4R Winnipeg Depots

The Brady Road Resource Management Facility and all three 4R Depots will be closed on Wednesday, April 13 until further notice

Recycling & garbage collection

Garbage and waste collection is suspended on Wednesday, April 13. Residents whose collection day is Wednesday are advised to not put your carts out for collection. For more information on collections, see: City of Winnipeg – MyUtility.

Indoor pools and Fitness & Leisure Centres

All City indoor pools, fitness and leisure centres, and arenas will be closed and all City-run recreation programming cancelled effective Wednesday, April  13, 2022 until further notice. Impacted customers will automatically be refunded a credit on their account, as per Facility Terms and Conditions and Activity Terms and Conditions. 

Libraries

All libraries will be closed and programming cancelled effective Wednesday, April 13, 2022 until further notice. Online services, including downloadable eBooks, catalogue searching, and holds/renewals, are available anytime at City of Winnipeg – Winnipeg Public Libraries.

Winnipeg Transit

Winnipeg Transit is anticipating service impacts during the forecasted blizzard. Passengers are advised to check updated schedules on Navigo prior to travelling and are advised not all regularly scheduled buses may run. Any significant Winnipeg Transit service impacts will be communicated via the @winnipegtransit Twitter account, and information about any potential detours will be posted to the Winnipeg Transit Service Advisories page and the @transitalerts Twitter account. We strongly advise against non-essential travel.

Previously-booked Winnipeg Transit Plus trips cannot be guaranteed during the storm.

Snow clearing & ice control operations

A major, city-wide snow clearing operation is anticipated to begin overnight. Crews will clear streets, sidewalks, and active transportation paths based on the priority system, beginning with Priority 1 (P1); regional streets, major routes, priority active transportation routes and adjacent sidewalks and active transportation paths; followed by Priority 2 (P2); bus routes, collector streets and adjacent sidewalks and active transportation paths.

It’s anticipated that crews will likely plow and re-plow the P1 and P2 streets and sidewalks as required to keep snow routes open and passable as the forecasted snow continues over the next couple of days.

An Extended Snow Route Parking Ban is also in effect starting Thursday, April 14, 2022 at 12 a.m. (midnight when Wednesday turns to Thursday), until further notice. While in effect, the Extended Snow Route Parking Ban prohibits parking on snow routes between midnight and 7 a.m. For more information, see: City of Winnipeg – Snow Clearing & Ice Control.

Residents are reminded to drive to conditions and to stay back from heavy equipment.

More information

For more information on the City’s response to the spring blizzard, see: winnipeg.ca/stormresponse and follow us @cityofwinnipeg on Twitter for the latest updates using the hashtag #MBstorm.

Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service responds to fires on Manitoba Avenue and Higgins Avenue

Released: 6:20 p.m.

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

Manitoba Avenue fire

At 3:37 p.m., the WFPS responded to reports of a fire in a vacant two-storey house in the 400 block of Manitoba Avenue.

When crews arrived on-scene, they encountered heavy smoke and flames coming from the structure. A defensive attack was initially launched with crews working to protect neighbouring homes. After knocking down some of the flames, they were able to transition to an offensive fire attack. The fire was declared under control at 4:32 p.m.

Crews completed a search of the structure and no occupants were found. One neighbouring home was temporarily evacuated as a precaution. No injuries were reported.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. No damage estimates are available at this time.

Higgins Avenue fire

At 3:12 p.m., the WFPS responded to a monitored alarm at a three-storey hotel in the 100 block of Higgins Avenue.

Upon arrival at the scene, crews found smoke coming from a single suite. An offensive attack was launched and the fire was quickly brought under control, aided by the building’s sprinkler system.

All occupants of the hotel safely self-evacuated. Winnipeg Transit buses were deployed to provide temporary shelter to the evacuees. No injuries were reported.

Fire damage was minimal, however, the building sustained significant water damage. The City of Winnipeg’s Emergency Social Services was deployed to support approximately 30 residents in finding alternate accommodations.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. Damage estimates are not available at this time.