The City of Winnipeg says it is stepping up efforts to prevent suspicious fires and arson through coordinated inspections, enforcement, and investigations.
City officials, including Winnipeg police and the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service, announced the initiative on Friday.
In the first nine months of 2025, the city conducted more than 9,600 inspections of vacant buildings, boarded 378 properties, and cleared 372 tonnes of debris as part of arson sweeps. Police also investigated 177 suspected arsons during that time.
“Over the past several years, we’ve implemented a number of initiatives aimed at stronger enforcement, strengthened investigations, and more robust securement standards for vacant properties to stop arson before it happens,” said Mayor Scott Gillingham, in a release.
Residents are urged to report tampering or illegal dumping near vacant buildings. Anyone with information about suspicious activity can contact Winnipeg police at (204) 986-6222 or Crime Stoppers at (204) 786-TIPS.
Friday’s announcement came just hours after the WFPS announced four separate overnight fires in vacant structures across the city.
Watch Friday’s news conference:
