Toxic wire fires another byproduct of encampments: firefighters union

The firefighters union says crews and the public are put in danger by toxic smoke that’s created when cables and wiring are set ablaze by people at encampments who want to expose the valuable copper beneath.

While it’s against the law to burn the material that sparks carcinogenic smoke, it’s a common occurrence at encampments where it’s seen as a “survival crime” that authorities don’t appear prepared to address.

“Firefighters are encountering more incidents where stolen copper wire or other copper material is being burned to strip away insulation, often in backyards, burn barrels, fire pits, and encampments,” said Nick Kasper, president of the United Fire Fighters of Winnipeg.

“I’d go down and ask them, ‘What are you doing? Would you consider not doing it?’ Typically the responses I get are, ‘Well, at least I’m not breaking into your house; at least I’m not breaking into your car.’”–Howard Warren

Kasper said burning insulated cable releases carcinogens that pose serious short- and long-term health risks to the public and firefighters, who already face a disproportionate risk of developing cancer due to occupational exposure.

He said they are frustrated they’re dealing with more wire fires, but all they can do is put them out and urge the public to report them.

Howard Warren, who lives near an encampment but doesn’t want his neighbourhood named, said he’s asked the fire-starters to stop doing it.

“I used to go down when I detected somebody conducting a wire fire — there’s no mistaking it, the acrid smell in the air,” he said Monday.

“I’d go down and ask them, ‘What are you doing? Would you consider not doing it?’ Typically the responses I get are, ‘Well, at least I’m not breaking into your house; at least I’m not breaking into your car,’” Warren said. “I don’t know how you come up with a response in reply to that.”

Warren pointed out that if he burned the material in his backyard, his neighbours would complain, and he’d be penalized. At encampments, such fires are set with impunity — and someone must be illegally purchasing the ill-gotten scrap metal, he said, adding he’s talked to city officials and the firefighters who have put out the wire fires.

The longtime area resident said it seems as though city officials have given up enforcing bylaws that prohibit such fires that he’s heard social agencies refer to as a “survival crime.” Warren said he’s seen encampments explode in size in the last 15 years and is concerned about crime flourishing.

“It’s a huge part of the homeless economy… Some of it’s bicycle chop shops, some of it’s wire burning. Where they get the wire from is questionable — as well the scrap metal dealers buying that kind of thing.”

The Scrap Metal Act, which became law in 2022, requires a scrap metal dealer obtain proof of identification from the seller and retain records about the transaction, limit cash purchases of scrap metal and provide regular reports to law enforcement agencies.

A person must not sell metallic wire that has had insulation or casing removed from it, a catalytic converter, or items such as a sewer access cover or grate or a metal grave marker, unless they can provide proof of ownership to the dealer at the time of the transaction.

“It’s a huge part of the homeless economy… Some of it’s bicycle chop shops, some of it’s wire burning. Where they get the wire from is questionable — as well the scrap metal dealers buying that kind of thing.”–Howard Warren

Violating the law can result in a fine of up to $5,000 for a first offence and $15,000 for a subsequent offence. Corporations are penalized $15,000 for a first offence and $50,000 for subsequent offences.

The Winnipeg Police Service said Monday the investigator who would be able to comment on wire fires and enforcement of the law is away until later this week.

The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service said wire fires violate the Neighbourhood Livability Bylaw.

“Despite this, WFPS responds to many reports of fires, which turn out to be wire fires,” WFPS spokesperson Erin Madden said.

“Often we arrive once the fire is already out. On occasion, we are required to extinguish these fires, which are usually small/minor.”

She said the city doesn’t keep track of the number of such fires.

The frequency and proximity of such toxic burns have increased the risk to the public and first responders, said Kasper.

“These fires are now happening more often in densely populated areas, including residential neighbourhoods and urban encampments,” he said.

“Not only is it likely that these materials were obtained illegally, but burning them is a violation of City of Winnipeg bylaws, which allow only clean, dry wood to be burned in approved outdoor fire pits,” Kasper said.

People should avoid an area where hazardous material is on fire, as well as call the police non-emergency line, the union leader said.

“These fires are now happening more often in densely populated areas, including residential neighbourhoods and urban encampments.”–Nick Kasper

Warren said laws are being broken that authorities don’t seem prepared to address.

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“There’s so many problems, people have almost given up,” he said.

“I think the easiest solution to this is that, when there is a wire fire, that they confiscate the wire, take it away from them,” said Warren.

Firefighters don’t have the authority to confiscate the wiring, said Kasper.

“Once the fire is extinguished and the immediate risk has been managed, any further action — such as investigation or enforcement — must be handled by bylaw officers or police,” he said.

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca

Carol Sanders
Legislature reporter

Carol Sanders is a reporter at the Free Press legislature bureau. The former general assignment reporter and copy editor joined the paper in 1997. Read more about Carol.

Every piece of reporting Carol produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press’s history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates.