Emergency Preparedness

Rick Boehm, Thornhill and regional district fire chief, with the department’s new ladder truck. (File photo)

Remote northwest B.C. community left without a fire department due to volunteer shortage

Almost 200 homes in Dease Lake will have to fend for themselves in case of fire

 

The paramedics’ union is pushing the province for changes to address staffing shortages plaguing rural communities, said union president Troy Clifford. (Photo courtesy of Ambulance Paramedics of BC)

‘It’s a broken system,’ say emergency responders about B.C.’s rural paramedic shortages

Quadra Island had no local paramedics available for 11 days during the summer and fall

  • Oct 23, 2022

 

Wildfire protection is being planned for residents in the Surge Narrows area. Photo courtesy BC Wildfire Service

Outer Discovery Islands residents consider wildfire brigade to combat growing threat

Strathcona Regional District collecting feedback about establishing new service

 

Airport, North Cedar and Cranberry firefighters move ‘crash victims’ from the field around a RDN Transit bus standing in for a stricken aircraft during an emergency preparedness exercise at Nanaimo Airport on Wednesday, Oct. 19. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)

Nanaimo Airport tests its emergency preparedness with mock plane crash exercise

Nanaimo and Ladysmith emergency services co-ordinate with airport

Airport, North Cedar and Cranberry firefighters move ‘crash victims’ from the field around a RDN Transit bus standing in for a stricken aircraft during an emergency preparedness exercise at Nanaimo Airport on Wednesday, Oct. 19. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)
Saanich Emergency Program staff practice earthquake safety. (Courtesy Saanich Fire Department)

No desk? No problem: Saanich officials offer alternative tips for earthquake drill

What to do when you can’t duck, cover and hold on, according to the Saanich Emergency Program

Saanich Emergency Program staff practice earthquake safety. (Courtesy Saanich Fire Department)
Residents should check their smoke detectors annually, according to experts. (Black Press Media file photo)

Greater Victoria residents urged to plan escape from their home in case of fire

Residents should also check smoke detectors annually

Residents should check their smoke detectors annually, according to experts. (Black Press Media file photo)
The Saanich Peninsula faces more than just earthquakes in terms of natural emergencies, says Mike Harman, Sidney Volunteer Fire Department Deputy Chief, in encouraging residents to prepare themselves. A weather event that mixes snow with heavy winds leading to a power outage has the potential to leave residents unprepared. (Photo courtesy of Daniel Brimacombe)

Sidney emergency official says residents should be self-sufficient for at least seven days

Sidney Volunteer Fire Department Deputy Chief Mike Harman says threats go beyond earthquakes

The Saanich Peninsula faces more than just earthquakes in terms of natural emergencies, says Mike Harman, Sidney Volunteer Fire Department Deputy Chief, in encouraging residents to prepare themselves. A weather event that mixes snow with heavy winds leading to a power outage has the potential to leave residents unprepared. (Photo courtesy of Daniel Brimacombe)
To mark Fire Prevention Week, the Victoria Fire Department is offering tips to help households prepare for potential fires. (Black Press Media file photo)

‘Fire won’t wait, plan your escape’: Fire Prevention Week marks 100th anniversary

Victoria Fire Department offers tips to help households prepare

To mark Fire Prevention Week, the Victoria Fire Department is offering tips to help households prepare for potential fires. (Black Press Media file photo)
Rising flood waters are seen surrounding barns in Abbotsford, B.C., Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021. B.C.’s Ombudsperson is hoping to speak with people who were impacted by 2021 floods and wildfires to determine how well the government responded. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward)

B.C.’s Ombudsperson wants to hear from people impacted by 2021 floods, wildfires

Office is investigating whether provincial support programs were administered fairly

Rising flood waters are seen surrounding barns in Abbotsford, B.C., Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021. B.C.’s Ombudsperson is hoping to speak with people who were impacted by 2021 floods and wildfires to determine how well the government responded. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward)
Zeballos, which was threatened in 2018 by a wildfire, was without a fire department for the summer. The department was reinstated on Sept. 27, 2022. Campbell River Mirror file photo

Zeballos reinstates volunteer fire department

Village was without fire department since late May

Zeballos, which was threatened in 2018 by a wildfire, was without a fire department for the summer. The department was reinstated on Sept. 27, 2022. Campbell River Mirror file photo
Smoke from wildfires in B.C., Washington State and Oregon continue to cause poor air quality across much of the province. (BC Wildfire Service/Twitter)

Air quality improving, but varying degrees of smoke to remain in much of B.C.

Wildfires burning in B.C., Washington State and Oregon causing hazy skies

Smoke from wildfires in B.C., Washington State and Oregon continue to cause poor air quality across much of the province. (BC Wildfire Service/Twitter)
The Weasel Creek wildfire as seen by an air attack officer on Aug. 13. The wildfire is one of only two fires of note, as of Aug. 29. (BC Wildfire Service)

B.C. wildfires: Fires of note reduced to 2

Connell Ridge fire near Cranbrook reclassified as of Monday (Aug. 29)

The Weasel Creek wildfire as seen by an air attack officer on Aug. 13. The wildfire is one of only two fires of note, as of Aug. 29. (BC Wildfire Service)
BC Wildfire Service crews are battling 215 active fires throughout the province as of Aug. 23. (BC Wildfire Service/Twitter)

B.C. wildfires: 215 fires burning, 72 of them out of control

Close to 40,000 hectares have burned this year

BC Wildfire Service crews are battling 215 active fires throughout the province as of Aug. 23. (BC Wildfire Service/Twitter)
Aerial crews work to extinguish a wildfire in the Kamloops Zone. (BC Wildfire Service/Twitter)

B.C. wildfires: Close to 40,000 hectares burned so far in 2022

Burn area far lower than 2021’s more than 850,000 hectares

Aerial crews work to extinguish a wildfire in the Kamloops Zone. (BC Wildfire Service/Twitter)
Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue and Canadian Coast Guard vessels participated in an evacuation exercise on Gabriola Island organized by Gabriola Volunteer Fire Department on Sunday, Aug. 14. (RCM-SAR photo)

Hovercraft evacuation on Gabriola part of emergency preparedness exercise

RCM-SAR, Canadian Coast Guard among participants in drill organized by Gabriola fire department

Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue and Canadian Coast Guard vessels participated in an evacuation exercise on Gabriola Island organized by Gabriola Volunteer Fire Department on Sunday, Aug. 14. (RCM-SAR photo)
Fire activity at the Maria Creek wildfire on Aug. 1. (Courtesy of BC Wildfire Service)

B.C. wildfires: Blazes in southern regions continue to challenge crews

50 active fires burning across the province

Fire activity at the Maria Creek wildfire on Aug. 1. (Courtesy of BC Wildfire Service)
BC Wildfire Service crews are using planned ignitions to control where wildfires are burning. (BC Wildfire Service/Twitter)

B.C. wildfires: 55 blazes burning, 8 of particular concern

Steep, rocky terrain and hot, dry conditions posing challenges for crews

BC Wildfire Service crews are using planned ignitions to control where wildfires are burning. (BC Wildfire Service/Twitter)
Over 400 firefighters are tackling the wildfire at Keremeos Creek, near Penticton. (BC Wildfire Service/Twitter)

B.C. wildfires: 8 fires of note burning in province’s south

Keremeos Creek fire near Penticton by far the largest at 5,903 hectares

Over 400 firefighters are tackling the wildfire at Keremeos Creek, near Penticton. (BC Wildfire Service/Twitter)
A BC Wildfire Service photo shows fire activity at Maria Creek near Pavilion on Aug. 2. The service says wildfire activity will continue throughout August. (Courtesy of BC Wildfire Service)

Intensified wildfire activity expected to continue through August: BC Wildfire

Southern areas will bear the brunt with above seasonal temperatures forecast

A BC Wildfire Service photo shows fire activity at Maria Creek near Pavilion on Aug. 2. The service says wildfire activity will continue throughout August. (Courtesy of BC Wildfire Service)
Firefighters are battling 91 active fires in B.C. as of Aug. 3, including at Keremeos Creek near Penticton. Here, they work to implement small-scale planned ignitions along Highway 3A. (BC Wildfire Service/Twitter)

B.C. wildfire season intensifies with 91 active blazes, 5 of note

Vast majority believed to be caused by lightning

Firefighters are battling 91 active fires in B.C. as of Aug. 3, including at Keremeos Creek near Penticton. Here, they work to implement small-scale planned ignitions along Highway 3A. (BC Wildfire Service/Twitter)