firefighters

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)
Minister of Natural Resources Jonathan Wilkinson speaks during press conference on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Thursday, June 15, 2023. Canada and the United States are expanding an agreement to share people and equipment to fight wildfires. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Firefighter training under scrutiny as ‘marathon’ wildfire season gives hard lessons

Canada is experiencing what federal officials call an unprecedented fire season

Minister of Natural Resources Jonathan Wilkinson speaks during press conference on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Thursday, June 15, 2023. Canada and the United States are expanding an agreement to share people and equipment to fight wildfires. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
The Courtenay Volunteer Fire Department. File photo

Island firefighter recovering after ‘seemingly unprovoked assault’ at fire scene

City releases update on condition of firefighter injured while attending house fire in Courtenay

  • Aug 9, 2023
The Courtenay Volunteer Fire Department. File photo
Three people were rescued from balconies during a fire at a Port Moody townhouse complex that police are calling suspicious. (Twitter/Port Moody Fire Rescue)

3 people rescued from balconies in ‘suspicious’ Port Moody townhouse fire

Multiple pets rescued, says Port Moody Fire Rescue

Three people were rescued from balconies during a fire at a Port Moody townhouse complex that police are calling suspicious. (Twitter/Port Moody Fire Rescue)
Canadian Armed Forces walk into the forest for their regular routine of ground sweeping and looking for wildfire hotspots Augier Road in Tintagel on July 26, 2023. B.C. Wildfire Service’s operations director says in his 21 years with the organization he’s “never felt the heaviness that we are feeling this season” as crews mourn two deaths in B.C. (Saddman Zaman/ Lakes District News photos)

‘It’s heavy’: Firefighter deaths weighing on B.C. wildfire crews

Operations director says some of the fires are too aggressive to put people in front of

Canadian Armed Forces walk into the forest for their regular routine of ground sweeping and looking for wildfire hotspots Augier Road in Tintagel on July 26, 2023. B.C. Wildfire Service’s operations director says in his 21 years with the organization he’s “never felt the heaviness that we are feeling this season” as crews mourn two deaths in B.C. (Saddman Zaman/ Lakes District News photos)
The Penticton Regional Hospital provides health care service in British Columbia’s South Okanagan. Which hospital in Canada is the oldest still operating hospital? (Black Press file photo)

QUIZ: A tribute to first responders

When things go wrong, police, firefighters, paramedics, doctors and nurses are ready to help

The Penticton Regional Hospital provides health care service in British Columbia’s South Okanagan. Which hospital in Canada is the oldest still operating hospital? (Black Press file photo)
Big Lake Volunteer Fire Rescue fire chief Joel Bruneski, from left, deputy chief Mark Wilkie, and communications officer Ken Waters hold up some samples of the sauces Wilkie developed to help raise funds for the BLVFR. The department is hosting a barbecue fundraiser event at the Big Lake Fire Hall on July 30, 2023 from 1-3 p.m. to provide samples, engage with the community and sell the sauces as a fundraiser for their department. (Photo submitted)

B.C. deputy fire chief offers saucy solution to fundraising

Big Lake man partners with company to create Firehall Classics Gourmet to help cash-strapped halls

Big Lake Volunteer Fire Rescue fire chief Joel Bruneski, from left, deputy chief Mark Wilkie, and communications officer Ken Waters hold up some samples of the sauces Wilkie developed to help raise funds for the BLVFR. The department is hosting a barbecue fundraiser event at the Big Lake Fire Hall on July 30, 2023 from 1-3 p.m. to provide samples, engage with the community and sell the sauces as a fundraiser for their department. (Photo submitted)
Nanaimo Fire Rescue fire and loss prevention investigators go through the charred interior of a home in north Nanaimo following an early morning fire Tuesday, July 25. Three people and a pet escaped unharmed. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)

Three people and pet escape burning home in Nanaimo’s north end

Nanaimo Fire Rescue credits working smoke alarms with saving lives

Nanaimo Fire Rescue fire and loss prevention investigators go through the charred interior of a home in north Nanaimo following an early morning fire Tuesday, July 25. Three people and a pet escaped unharmed. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)
A fire in a hog fuel pile at the Catalyst Crofton mill kept crews on scene for 3 1/2 hours. (File photo by Don Bodger)

North Cowichan firefighters respond to wood chip pile and outdoor deck fires

Weekend calls include 3 1/2 hours at Catalyst Crofton mill

A fire in a hog fuel pile at the Catalyst Crofton mill kept crews on scene for 3 1/2 hours. (File photo by Don Bodger)
A number of Nanaimo RCMP officers responded to a property in Nanaimo on Thursday, July 20, after a report of someone shooting flaming arrows turned out to be someone shooting a Roman candle. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)

Suspect on motorbike causes small brush fire by shooting off Roman candle in Nanaimo

Nanaimo RCMP rushed to the scene after hearing initial report about suspect shooting flaming arrows

A number of Nanaimo RCMP officers responded to a property in Nanaimo on Thursday, July 20, after a report of someone shooting flaming arrows turned out to be someone shooting a Roman candle. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)
Devyn Gale died while fighting a fire near Revelstoke July 13, 2023. B.C. Wildfire Service operations director says it’s dangerous work and crews are facing extreme conditions while they keep Gale, and her family, in their hearts. (Lisa Takkinen/BC Wildfire Service)

Wildfire crews face extreme conditions as they mourn B.C. firefighter

‘Dangerous work’: 3 people have died in the past week while helping to fight fires across the country

Devyn Gale died while fighting a fire near Revelstoke July 13, 2023. B.C. Wildfire Service operations director says it’s dangerous work and crews are facing extreme conditions while they keep Gale, and her family, in their hearts. (Lisa Takkinen/BC Wildfire Service)
Devyn Gale died while fighting a fire near Revelstoke. (Instagram)

Condolences pour in after firefighter, 19, dies battling blaze near Revelstoke

Firefighter died in hospital after a tree fell on her

Devyn Gale died while fighting a fire near Revelstoke. (Instagram)
The Donnie Creek wildfire burns in an area between Fort Nelson and Fort St. John, B.C., in this undated handout photo provided by the BC Wildfire Service. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-BC Wildfire Service **MANDATORY CREDIT **

Crews from U.S., Mexico headed to northern B.C. to help fight wildfires

B.C. Wildfire Service preparing for an active, busy period in the coming weeks

The Donnie Creek wildfire burns in an area between Fort Nelson and Fort St. John, B.C., in this undated handout photo provided by the BC Wildfire Service. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-BC Wildfire Service **MANDATORY CREDIT **
Nanaimo-Ladysmith MP Lisa Marie Barron and Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog discuss details of Bill C-345, which aims to improve protection against violence for all first responders, during a press conference at Nanaimo Fire Rescue Station No. 1 on Wednesday, June 28. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)

Proposed legislation could help protect firefighters and paramedics from violence

Nanaimo-Ladysmith MP backs bill to stiffen penalties for violence against first responders

Nanaimo-Ladysmith MP Lisa Marie Barron and Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog discuss details of Bill C-345, which aims to improve protection against violence for all first responders, during a press conference at Nanaimo Fire Rescue Station No. 1 on Wednesday, June 28. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)
A Nanaimo firefighter douses hot spots after fire damaged an unoccupied commercial building on Stewart Avenue Monday, June 5. (Chris Bush/ News Bulletin)

Nanaimo firefighters battle another unoccupied commercial building fire on Stewart Avenue

Fire in former restaurant on June 5 under investigation, cause deemed suspicious

A Nanaimo firefighter douses hot spots after fire damaged an unoccupied commercial building on Stewart Avenue Monday, June 5. (Chris Bush/ News Bulletin)
Department of Natural Resources and Renewables firefighter Kalen MacMullin of Sydney, N.S., works on a fire in Shelburne County, N.S., in a Thursday, June 1, 2023 handout photo. Almost 700 international firefighters from South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and the United States are set to arrive in Canada over the next two weeks to help with an unusually severe start to wildfire season across the country. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Communications Nova Scotia **MANDATORY CREDIT**

Nearly 700 more international firefighters coming to Canada to help battle fires

There are already more than 500 international firefighters, incident commanders and other workers in Alberta

Department of Natural Resources and Renewables firefighter Kalen MacMullin of Sydney, N.S., works on a fire in Shelburne County, N.S., in a Thursday, June 1, 2023 handout photo. Almost 700 international firefighters from South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and the United States are set to arrive in Canada over the next two weeks to help with an unusually severe start to wildfire season across the country. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Communications Nova Scotia **MANDATORY CREDIT**
A firefighter demonstrates the use of foam to put out a small blaze during an Emergency Preparedness Week event put on at Brookfield Mall on Saturday, May 12. (Black Press Media)

Firefighting foam ban possible as Canada looks at risks of ‘forever chemicals’

The draft report says there is growing evidence that the chemicals carry significant health risks to humans

A firefighter demonstrates the use of foam to put out a small blaze during an Emergency Preparedness Week event put on at Brookfield Mall on Saturday, May 12. (Black Press Media)