firefighters

The burnt out window at the Haida Way Motor Inn in Port McNeill. (Derek Koel photo)

1 person dies in early morning structure fire in Port McNeill

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation

 

The burnt out window at the Haida Motor Inn in Port McNeill. (Derek Koel photo)

1 person dies in early morning structure fire in Port McNeill

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation

 

Firefighters hose down the former PQB News/Vancouver Island Free Daily offices on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022. (Michael Briones photo)

WOLF: Devastation lingers, one year after blaze destroys businesses

COLUMN: PQB News offices among those razed by Parksville blaze

 

Nanaimo Fire Rescue firefighters are staring down steeply rising numbers of medical aid calls driven by population growth and illicit drug overdoses. (News Bulletin file photo) Nanaimo Fire Rescue firefighters are staring down steeply rising numbers of medical aid calls driven by population growth and illicit drug overdoses. (File photo)

Vancouver Island fire department challenged by soaring overdose calls

Medical calls accounted for 57% of Nanaimo firefighter responses in 2022, 68% so far in 2023

Nanaimo Fire Rescue firefighters are staring down steeply rising numbers of medical aid calls driven by population growth and illicit drug overdoses. (News Bulletin file photo) Nanaimo Fire Rescue firefighters are staring down steeply rising numbers of medical aid calls driven by population growth and illicit drug overdoses. (File photo)
The approximately 100 paid on-call firefighters in North Cowichan, who have recently joined CUPE Local 358, have signed a collective agreement with the municipality, the first of its kind in B.C. (Citizen file photo)

First in B.C.: on-call firefighters sign collective agreement

North Cowichan deal comes amid consolidation growing pains

The approximately 100 paid on-call firefighters in North Cowichan, who have recently joined CUPE Local 358, have signed a collective agreement with the municipality, the first of its kind in B.C. (Citizen file photo)
A firefighter was injured after an aggressive fire in Vancouver’s downtown early Saturday (Sept. 16) caused a ceiling to collapse onto him. (File photo by BLACK PRESS)

Vancouver firefighter sent to hospital after roof collapses during fire

Assistant fire chief Pierre Morin says the firefighter was taken to hospital with minor injuries

A firefighter was injured after an aggressive fire in Vancouver’s downtown early Saturday (Sept. 16) caused a ceiling to collapse onto him. (File photo by BLACK PRESS)
The McDougall Creek wildfire burns on the mountainside above a lakefront home in West Kelowna on Aug. 18. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Greater Victoria firefighters flood streets to benefit wildfire relief

Victoria, Saanich, Esquimalt, Oak Bay, Langford, Colwood, View Royal fire crews collect donations

The McDougall Creek wildfire burns on the mountainside above a lakefront home in West Kelowna on Aug. 18. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Wayne Dorman, the owner of Dogzies Pet Services, organized a large donation for firefighters working in West Kelowna from around the world. (Jacqueline Gelineau/Capital News)

A large truck of small comforts for international firefighters in West Kelowna

Donations from the South African owner of Dogzies brightened the spirits of fire crews far from home

Wayne Dorman, the owner of Dogzies Pet Services, organized a large donation for firefighters working in West Kelowna from around the world. (Jacqueline Gelineau/Capital News)
The miniature Delft Blue House that former MP Stephen Fuhr was able to find in the debris of his home. (Stephen Fuhr)

Ash-caked porcelain house all that B.C. wildfire left of former MP’s home

Stephen Fuhr plans to rebuild on the property he has lived at for 15 years

  • Sep 6, 2023
The miniature Delft Blue House that former MP Stephen Fuhr was able to find in the debris of his home. (Stephen Fuhr)
What is left of the garden and chicken coop at a property on Bear Creek Road, West Kelowna after the McDougall Creek Wildfire swept through the area. (Brittany Webster/Capital News)

‘Absolutely untrue’: West Kelowna Fire Chief on claims that homes were left to burn

The McDougall Creek wildfire’s behaviour was too aggressive for air support in the early days

  • Sep 5, 2023
What is left of the garden and chicken coop at a property on Bear Creek Road, West Kelowna after the McDougall Creek Wildfire swept through the area. (Brittany Webster/Capital News)
A trailer in the Beaver Harbour trailer park caught fire on Wednesday, Aug. 30. (Skylar Warnock photo)

Firefighters knock down trailer fire in Fort Rupert trailer park

Port Hardy Fire Rescue, RCMP, and emergency personnel were all on scene a little after 3:00 p.m.

A trailer in the Beaver Harbour trailer park caught fire on Wednesday, Aug. 30. (Skylar Warnock photo)
Port McNeill Fire Rescue sent three firefighters, and also one from Port Alice. (Port McNeill Fire Rescue Facebook photo)

North Island firefighters return home from fighting wildfires in Kelowna

PHFR thanked the District of Port Hardy and the whole North Island for all their support

Port McNeill Fire Rescue sent three firefighters, and also one from Port Alice. (Port McNeill Fire Rescue Facebook photo)
Planned ignition work continues on the McDougall Creek wildfire. (BC Wildfire Service)

West Kelowna looks to re-entry and recovery after McDougall Creek fire

Upper Shannon Woods, Tallus Ridge evacuation order downgraded to alert Sunday morning

  • Aug 27, 2023
Planned ignition work continues on the McDougall Creek wildfire. (BC Wildfire Service)
The Walroy Lake wildfire sits at 794 hectares going into Wednesday, Aug. 23 and continues to display low fire activity. (Mark Rogers/Facebook)

Feelings of elation as Walroy Lake wildfire held, Kelowna evacuees to return home

Residents can visit cordemergency.ca for the latest updates to evacuation orders

The Walroy Lake wildfire sits at 794 hectares going into Wednesday, Aug. 23 and continues to display low fire activity. (Mark Rogers/Facebook)
Image of the Bush Creek East wildfire. (Cory Erlandson)

Shuswap winery, vacation home saved from wildfire ‘thanks to those who stayed behind’

Staff of Celista Winery stay in fire zone to fight flames

  • Aug 23, 2023
Image of the Bush Creek East wildfire. (Cory Erlandson)
Beaver Creek VFD members ensure the department’s engine is packed for deployment to Kelowna. (BEAVER CREEK VFD PHOTO)

Vancouver Island firefighters deploy to Okanagan to fight wildfires

Alberni Valley crews part of dozens joining task groups in Kelowna, Shuswap

Beaver Creek VFD members ensure the department’s engine is packed for deployment to Kelowna. (BEAVER CREEK VFD PHOTO)
A lone firefighter stayed behind at Pettman Road to save structures threatened by the McDougall Creek fire. (contributed)

‘Single angel firefighter’ stays behind to fight flames with garden hose in West Kelowna

A single firefighter stayed behind to extinguish flames and save three homes on Pettman Road

  • Aug 21, 2023
A lone firefighter stayed behind at Pettman Road to save structures threatened by the McDougall Creek fire. (contributed)
The McDougall Creek wildfire burns on the mountainside above a lakefront home, in West Kelowna, B.C., on Friday, August 18, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

‘Like a hurricane’: West Kelowna fire chief recounts devastation

The McDougall Creek wildfire ripped through the community on Aug. 18

The McDougall Creek wildfire burns on the mountainside above a lakefront home, in West Kelowna, B.C., on Friday, August 18, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Highlands Volunteer Fire Department 2023 open house attendees got to jump inside fire trucks. (Brendan Mayer/News Staff)

PHOTOS: Highlands Fire Department offers family fun at open house

The event featured fire hose demonstrations

  • Aug 20, 2023
Highlands Volunteer Fire Department 2023 open house attendees got to jump inside fire trucks. (Brendan Mayer/News Staff)
Coombs Hilliers Volunteer Fire Department Fire Chief Ron Schildroth congratulates Theresa Benoit for her appointment as full-time Deputy Fire Chief. (CHVFD photo)

Coombs fire department tabs first-ever full-time female deputy chief

Benoit hopes she can inspire more women to join profession

Coombs Hilliers Volunteer Fire Department Fire Chief Ron Schildroth congratulates Theresa Benoit for her appointment as full-time Deputy Fire Chief. (CHVFD photo)