Christina Lake Fire/Rescue

09/01/2026

As we enter the twilight of summer, Category 1 Recreational Campfires will once again be allowed, effective tomorrow at noon.

As always, it is incumbent on the person burning to be familiar and compliant with the requirements for burning.

Effective at 12 p.m. (noon) Pacific Time on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, Category 1 campfires will be permitted throughout the Southeast Fire Centre, which includes the Rocky Mountain Natural Resource District and the Selkirk Natural Resource District.

Other activities which were previously included in the Category 1 campfire prohibition (The use of sky lanterns, and the use of wood fired hot tubs, wood fired pizza ovens and other wood fired devices unless vented through a structure that has a flue and is incorporated in a building) will now be permitted in the Southeast Fire Centre.

Category 2 and 3 open fire as defined in the Wildfire Regulation remains prohibited.

Find more information here: https://blog.gov.bc.ca/bcwildfire/category-1-campfire-prohibition-to-be-rescinded-in-the-southeast-fire-centre-2/

08/28/2026

Changes to the current ORV prohibition take effect at noon tomorrow.

Effective tomorrow, Friday August 28, at noon PDT the Off Road Vehicle (ORV) prohibition is rescinded in the Southeast, Cariboo, Coastal and Kamloops Fire Centres.

We recognize that ORVs play an important role in recreation, hunting and accessing the outdoors for many. Restrictions are only considered when multiple factors indicate an elevated wildfire risk, heightened wildfire activity and limited capacity to respond to new fire starts.

With improving conditions in some regions of B.C., and cooler wetter weather in the forecast we are now able to rescind these prohibitions. We continue to monitor wildfire risk and prohibitions may be implemented or rescinded as conditions change.

We appreciate the patience and cooperation shown by ORV users during this period. We know many riders take fire prevention seriously and recreate responsibly on established roads and trails. If you're returning to the backcountry, we ask for your support in reporting any new wildfires through our app or by calling *5555.

For more information: https://blog.gov.bc.ca/bcwildfire/category/information-bulletins/

08/23/2026

On Friday morning, three members of Christina Lake Fire Rescue (L-R: FF Austen Bodanis, Capt. Sandy Hagel, FF Sasha Tyoschin) departed in Car 361, outfitted as a Type 6 engine, to assist with structure defense efforts as part of the provincial wildfire response. They are currently assigned to the Big Bar Complex.

This summer has already seen several CLFR members deploy across the province on structure protection assignments, supporting communities, building relationships, and gaining valuable experience along the way.

Deployments give us an opportunity to help communities in need and work alongside personnel who may one day be called upon to support ours. They also provide valuable real-world experience, strengthen relationships across the fire service, and bring resources back to our own service. In turn, these opportunities strengthen our team and our community while supporting the broader fire service.

Our decision to participate in deployments is always a calculated one. Maintaining our ability to respond at home remains the priority while taking advantage of opportunities that also benefit our members and our service. We consider a number of factors when making those decisions including local staffing and apparatus capacity, current and anticipated fire conditions, and anticipated weather. To ensure we maintained comparable wildland response capability locally, we outfitted another truck which remains to support Christina Lake and our partners throughout the Boundary region should the need arise.

We wish our members, and everyone working across the province, a safe remainder of their deployment.

08/21/2026

Update on The Rolling Barrage. Left Salmo and en route to the lake. ETA is closer to 1:00pm

08/20/2026

Tomorrow (Aug 21) around 12:00 noon +/- 15-20 minutes, expect to see The Rolling Barrage ride through Christina Lake via RCMP es**rt, with a stop for lunch at the fire hall at 12:30ish.
You can read more about their cause at their website: https://therollingbarrage.com/

Feel free to welcome them along HWY 3 as they roll into town and/or welcome them at the fire hall!

The Rolling Barrage is an annual coast to coast ride in Canada to raise awareness to end the stigma that surrounds PTSD.

07/21/2026

**Category 1 Campfire Ban Coming Thursday July 23rd at 12:00 Noon**

BCWS is advising the public that effective 12 .p.m. (noon) Pacific Time on Thursday, July 23, 2026, Category 1 campfire will be prohibited throughout the Southeast Fire Centre.

A Category 1 campfire refers to any fire that burns:
- No larger than 0.5 metres in height and 0.5 metres in width
- Used for recreational purposes or by a First Nation for ceremonial purposes

Also prohibited are the following equipment and activities:
- Air curtain burners
- Carbonizers
- Fireworks, as defined in the Fireworks Act of BC
- Binary exploding targets
- Burn barrels or burn cages of any size or description
- Controlled air incinerators
- Sky lanterns
- Wood fired hot tubs, wood fired pizza ovens, and other wood fired devices unless vented through a structure that has a flue and is incorporated in a building

For full details, please visit: https://blog.gov.bc.ca/bcwildfire/category-1-campfire-to-be-prohibited-in-the-southeast-fire-centre/

This prohibition does not include the use of outdoor stoves. As per the Wildfire Regulation, an outdoor stove is a CSA-rated or ULC-rated device used outdoors for cooking, heat or ambiance that burns charcoal briquettes, liquid fuel or gaseous fuel and has a flame height that is less than 15 cm tall. More information about outdoor stoves can be found on our https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/wildfire-status/prevention/fire-bans-and-restrictions/open-burning .

Effective at 12 .p.m. (noon) Pacific Time on Thursday, July 23, 2026, Category 1 campfire will be prohibited throughout the Southeast Fire Centre.

A Category 1 campfire refers to any fire that burns:
- No larger than 0.5 metres in height and 0.5 metres in width
- Used for recreational purposes or by a First Nation for ceremonial purposes

Also prohibited are the following equipment and activities:
- Air curtain burners
- Carbonizers
- Fireworks, as defined in the Fireworks Act of BC
- Binary exploding targets
- Burn barrels or burn cages of any size or description
- Controlled air incinerators
- Sky lanterns
- Wood fired hot tubs, wood fired pizza ovens, and other wood fired devices unless vented through a structure that has a flue and is incorporated in a building

For full details, please visit: https://blog.gov.bc.ca/bcwildfire/category-1-campfire-to-be-prohibited-in-the-southeast-fire-centre/

This prohibition does not include the use of outdoor stoves. As per the Wildfire Regulation, an outdoor stove is a CSA-rated or ULC-rated device used outdoors for cooking, heat or ambiance that burns charcoal briquettes, liquid fuel or gaseous fuel and has a flame height that is less than 15 cm tall. More information about outdoor stoves can be found on our https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/wildfire-status/prevention/fire-bans-and-restrictions/open-burning .

07/20/2026

🔥 Wildfire Response Update – Christina Lake, Sutherland Creek - N61072

Original Post: Monday, 20th July 2026, 4.20pm

Check on the BC Wildfire Service map to see the status of all wildfires in real time: https://wildfiresituation.nrs.gov.bc.ca/map

BC Wildfire Service is responding to a small wildfire at Sutherland Creek in Christina Lake

👨‍🚒 BC Wildfire has an Initial Attack Crew on scene, with aerial support

⚠️ Please:
• Stay clear of the area and give crews room to work. Especially if you are on or near the water where aircraft collect water for wildfire suppression efforts.
• Do not fly drones near the incident - they can ground firefighting aircraft and hinder response efforts.

ℹ️ For the latest, accurate updates, please follow the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary (RDKB) and BC Wildfire Service official channels.

Sharing trusted information helps keep our communities informed and supports emergency response efforts.

Thank you for your cooperation as crews respond safely and
efficiently.

07/17/2026

The small wildfire we are supporting BC Wildfire Service on, located just off the Green Tunnel Trail near Haaglund Road, is now classified as Under Control.

We appreciate the concern and vigilance shown by members of our community in reporting and sharing sightings. That kind of awareness supports early detection and enables a rapid response.

While we understand the desire to check on the situation or seek immediate updates, we ask that people stay clear of operational areas unless absolutely necessary. Unnecessary traffic and interruptions can create congestion along access routes and divert personnel from the work required to safely and efficiently bring the incident to a conclusion.

Thank you to BC Wildfire Service and all personnel involved for their continued efforts.

07/17/2026

🔥 Wildfire Response Update – Christina Lake - N60908

Friday, 17 July 2026, 10.30am

BC Wildfire Service and the Christina Lake Fire Department are responding to a small wildfire above Haaglund Road.

👨‍🚒 BC Wildfire has an Initial Attack Crew on scene, with support from the Christina Lake Fire Department.

⚠️ Please:
• Stay clear of the area and give crews room to work.
• 🚫 Do not fly drones near the incident—they can ground firefighting aircraft and hinder response efforts.

ℹ️ For the latest, accurate updates, please follow the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary (RDKB) and BC Wildfire Service official channels. Sharing trusted information helps keep our communities informed and supports emergency response efforts.

Thank you for your cooperation as crews respond safely and efficiently.

07/11/2026

From January 1 to June 30, Christina Lake Fire Rescue responded to 92 calls for service.
The types of incidents we attend remain fairly consistent and continue to rely on nearly every discipline our members train for including: medical emergencies, wildland and vehicle fires, rope rescue, and motor vehicle incidents. Those 92 calls represent an 18% increase over the same period in 2025, which was already our busiest year on record.

Now, for a bit of show and and tell!
Today we're highlighting what many consider the pride of our fleet: Engine 361.
Placed into service in 2024, Engine 361 is built primarily for structural firefighting, equipped with a 1,500 GPM pump and a 750-gallon water tank. In a community like Christina Lake, versatility matters which is why Engine 361 is also well suited to the interface environment, with features such as pump-and-roll capability, allowing firefighters to safely and effectively employ interface firefighting tactics.

Beyond firefighting, Engine 361 carries equipment for initial rope rescue and basic vehicle extrication, making it a true all-hazards response vehicle and one of the most versatile pieces of apparatus in our fleet. It also plays an important role in maintaining the fire protection capabilities that support favourable residential and commercial insurance ratings within our community.

Here are a few photos from training featuring Engine 361, but you may also spot it out and about during Homecoming today.