During one of the driest spells in recent Winnipeg memory, the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) is urging residents to help mitigate fire risks. 

From Friday, May 4 until Sunday, May 6, WFPS responded to five significant wildland fire events on both the west and east sides of Winnipeg. One fire resulted in the death of two males.

Tom Wallace, WFPS deputy chief, describes the current conditions in Winnipeg as unprecedented and tinder dry.

"I've been in emergency services for 20 years, I've never seen anything like this," Wallace revealed.

The fires have stretched crews thin across the city. Wallace says a typical grass fire requires two trucks and up to eight people to contain. All five wildland fire events on the weekend required closer to 15 trucks. 29 fire engines are currently in operation inside Winnipeg.

All burn permits have been temporarily stopped, including fireworks, due to the dry conditions. All open-flame fires are also off-limits, which includes all raised firepits, as well as those in parks and campgrounds.

Wallace also asked for the communities help in keeping these fires away. WFPS staff are going into communities to educate people on keeping their home safe during this stretch of dry weather. 

Tips include checking planters and making sure they aren't filled with combustible material, such as peat moss. If you're in a wildland area, Wallace says to keep a 10-metre buffer zone around the house that has no combustibles. As Wallace pointed out, however, almost everything can set on fire right now.

"Just about everything is combustible right now, including grass," he said.

Wallace also said that any burning outside of barbeques or natural gas appliances at this time is irresponsible. If you spot a fire, immediately call 911.

The WFPS is working on a number of solutions, including sitting down with CN Rail on Wednesday. A train coming through Winnipeg appears to be the cause of some of the weekend fires, though Wallace was not able to confirm that.