firefighters

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)
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)

B.C. MPs push bill to protect firefighters and paramedics from violence

Bill calls for stiffer penalties for anyone who assaults or threatens safety of 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)
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)
A neighborhood is cut off from the city as a flooded river took out the bridge on Monday, May 1, 2023 in Baie-Saint-Paul, Quebec. Funerals for two Quebec volunteer firefighters who died earlier this month during flash floods in the Charlevoix region will be private affairs. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot

Funerals to be held for Quebec firefighters killed during floods in Charlevoix region

Their bodies were discovered about 500 metres apart in the Riviere du Gouffre

A neighborhood is cut off from the city as a flooded river took out the bridge on Monday, May 1, 2023 in Baie-Saint-Paul, Quebec. Funerals for two Quebec volunteer firefighters who died earlier this month during flash floods in the Charlevoix region will be private affairs. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot
BC Wildfire Service has reclassified a fire north of Merritt, the Snake Road Wildfire, as being held. (BC Wildfire Service)

Wildfire north of Merritt being held

The fire is confirmed to be human caused

  • Apr 30, 2023
BC Wildfire Service has reclassified a fire north of Merritt, the Snake Road Wildfire, as being held. (BC Wildfire Service)
FILE - An aircraft drops fire retardant to slow the spread of the Richard Spring fire, east of Lame Deer, Mont., on Aug. 11, 2021. A legal dispute in Montana could drastically curb the government’s use of aerial fire retardant to combat wildfires. Environmentalists have sued the U.S. Forest Service over waterways being polluted with the potentially toxic red slurry that’s dropped from aircraft. Forest Service officials have acknowledged more than 200 cases of retardant landing in water. (AP Photo/Matthew Brown, File)

Pollution lawsuit could curb use of aerial fire retardant in U.S.

Forest Service officials say retardant is sometimes accidentally dropped into waterways

FILE - An aircraft drops fire retardant to slow the spread of the Richard Spring fire, east of Lame Deer, Mont., on Aug. 11, 2021. A legal dispute in Montana could drastically curb the government’s use of aerial fire retardant to combat wildfires. Environmentalists have sued the U.S. Forest Service over waterways being polluted with the potentially toxic red slurry that’s dropped from aircraft. Forest Service officials have acknowledged more than 200 cases of retardant landing in water. (AP Photo/Matthew Brown, File)
Firefighters work on dousing the blaze. (Dave Eagles/KTW)

Grassfire now under control in Kamloops west end

Fire sparked in Strathcona Park

  • Apr 19, 2023
Firefighters work on dousing the blaze. (Dave Eagles/KTW)
Burnaby firefighter and former NHL player Ray Sawada, 38, passed away suddenly April 10, 2023 while playing a game of recreational hockey. He leaves behind a wife and two daughters. (Credit: GoFundMe)

B.C. firefighter and ex-NHL player Ray Sawada dies suddenly at 38

Burnaby firefighter leaves behind his wife and 2 young daughters

Burnaby firefighter and former NHL player Ray Sawada, 38, passed away suddenly April 10, 2023 while playing a game of recreational hockey. He leaves behind a wife and two daughters. (Credit: GoFundMe)
Port Moody Fire Rescue honoured Massimo Cerantola yesterday May 25 with a Medal of Merit. PortMoodyFireRescue@PortMoodyFR photo

B.C. firefighter honoured after being badly burned by car blast in off-duty response

Massimo Cerantola says he’s no hero after suffering burns to 41 per cent of his body

  • Apr 6, 2023
Port Moody Fire Rescue honoured Massimo Cerantola yesterday May 25 with a Medal of Merit. PortMoodyFireRescue@PortMoodyFR photo
Vernon Fire Rescue Services currently has 24 auxiliary firefighters, six on active duty, 13 in training and five on temporary leave (City of Vernon).

8 Vernon volunteer firefighters resign

City of Vernon has recently hired four new full-time firefighters

Vernon Fire Rescue Services currently has 24 auxiliary firefighters, six on active duty, 13 in training and five on temporary leave (City of Vernon).
Col. Al De Genova is taking the Tour of Honour Humvee across B.C. and as far north as the Yukon Territory, raising awareness and money for Honour House and Honour Ranch. (Eric J. Welsh/ The Progress)

Tour of Honour supporting military, first responders kicks off in Chilliwack

The tour will raise awareness in places across B.C. and the Yukon for Honour House and Honour Ranch

Col. Al De Genova is taking the Tour of Honour Humvee across B.C. and as far north as the Yukon Territory, raising awareness and money for Honour House and Honour Ranch. (Eric J. Welsh/ The Progress)
Kelowna fire truck. (File photo)

B.C. firefighter pleads guilty to voyeurism

A charge of voyeurism involves secretly observing or recording nudity in a private place

Kelowna fire truck. (File photo)
Tammy Young beams with excitement when she returns from her first call with the Salmon Arm Fire Department. (Photo contributed)

‘I fell in love with it’: Salmon Arm woman always wanted to be a firefighter

Fire department celebrates its female firefighters on International Women’s Day

Tammy Young beams with excitement when she returns from her first call with the Salmon Arm Fire Department. (Photo contributed)
Emergency crews have responded to a sink hole at Todd and Grantham roads in Kelowna March 7, 2023. (Jordy Cunningham/Capital News)

VIDEO: Sink hole caused by broken irrigation line closes Kelowna road

The intersection of Todd and Grantham Roads is closed to traffic

  • Mar 7, 2023
Emergency crews have responded to a sink hole at Todd and Grantham roads in Kelowna March 7, 2023. (Jordy Cunningham/Capital News)