Cherry Creek Fire Department

09/29/2026

Please see update from BCWS:

Full rescind of Category 2 and Category 3 prohibitions in Coastal Fire Centre

Effective at 12 p.m. (noon) PCT on Wednesday September 30, 2026, all remaining Category 2 and Category 3 open fire prohibitions within the Coastal Fire Centre's jurisdiction will be lifted.

Category 2 open fire is an open fire, other than a campfire, that burns:
• One pile of material no larger than 2 metres high by 3 metres wide;
• Up to two piles of material at the same time, with each pile no larger than 2 metres high by 3 metres wide; or
• Stubble or grass over an area of 0.2 hectares or less.

Category 3 open fire is an open fire that burns:
• Three or more piles of material at the same time, with each pile no larger than 2 metres high by 3 metres wide;
• One or more piles of material that exceed 2 metres in height or 3 metres in width;
• One or more windrows; or
• Stubble or grass over an area greater than 0.2 hectares.

For a map of Fire Centre boundaries: please click here

A poster explaining the different categories of open burning is available online:

Other activities that were previously prohibited but will now be allowed include the following activities and equipment:

• Binary exploding targets
• Fireworks, as defined in the Fireworks Act of BC
• Burn barrels or burn cages of any size or description
• Controlled air incinerators
• Air curtain burners
• Carbonizers

To check BC Wildfire Service prohibitions in your location, visit our mobile app or the online interactive map. There you can turn on the “fire bans” layer and search for your location of interest. The pattern of the yellow overlay corresponds to the prohibitions currently in place. You can also click the overlay and select “more details” for full information.
BC Wildfire Service prohibitions apply to all Crown land that is outside of municipal boundaries. They also apply to the following types of land within municipal boundaries:

• Parks, conservancies and recreation areas (Park Act)
• Recreation sites, recreation trails, interpretive forest sites and trail-based recreation areas (Forest and Range Practices Act)
• Ecological reserves (Ecological Reserve Act)
• Wildlife management areas (Wildlife Act)
• Private managed forest land (Private Managed Forest Land Act)

Municipalities may impose different prohibitions or restrictions. Please check with your local government before lighting any open fire. Practicing fire safety and preparedness remains important all year long. Be aware of your local conditions and ensure that burning is done in a safe and responsible manner. For more information, visit: gov.bc.ca/saferburning
To report a wildfire, unattended campfire, or open burning violation, call 1 800 663-5555 tollfree, *5555 on a cell phone, or submit an electronic report through the BC Wildfire public mobile app. Stay up to date on the latest wildfire activity here

Contact:
Fire Information Officer
Coastal Fire Centre | BC Wildfire Service
250-951-4209 | [email protected]

Unsure if you need to register your burn? Want to know what your legal obligations are when open burning? Learn more about open burning in B.C.

09/29/2026

Did you miss it?

Newly promoted Deputy Chief Wes Kovacs provided an interview with Chek News where Alberni Community Policing and a nearby business employee called 911, resulting in swift response to our most recent structure fire. These quick actions resulted in a life being saved.

Search for “Chek News Cherry Creek Fire Department” on your browser of choice to watch the interview.

The article is titled:

‘Felt pretty good’: Alberni Community Policing volunteers credited with saving man from fire

09/26/2026

Last night at 9:22pm, CCFD received reports of a structure fire in the 2900 block of Alberni Highway.

Automatic mutual aid was activated, bringing additional resources from the Valley Fire Departments.

Crews quickly knocked down the main body of fire; however, several hot spots remained within the roof assembly. These areas proved challenging to access and required extensive overhaul to fully extinguish.

One patient was transported by BC Emergency Health Services to West Coast General Hospital.

09/21/2026

CCFD received reports of white smoke at the end of Dundalk near Alberni Foundry. This was determined to be in BC Wildfire Service jurisdiction. They are on scene and actioning the fire.

The fire is small and displaying a very slow rate of spread and no structures are threatened.

09/19/2026

CCFD and Port Alberni Fire Department have investigated reports of white smoke in the area of Roger Creek between John St and Port Alberni Hwy Bridge. This has been determined to be outside of both jurisdictions. BC Wildfire Service is responding.

The fire is not threatening any structures and very slow moving in Roger Creek.

09/13/2026

Fall Fair Parade = Complete ✅

Yesterday Engine 31, Engine 33 and crew along with other agencies such as Port Alberni RCMP Port Alberni Fire Department Alberni Valley Rescue Squad Beaver Creek Volunteer Fire Department and Sproat Lake Volunteer Fire Department participated in the Annual Fall Fair Parade.

It’s always a great day when the trucks roll, the sirens sound, and the community comes out in full force!

We’re proud to serve alongside the agencies that help keep the Alberni Valley safe and even prouder to be part of a community that continues to show incredible support.

Thanks to everyone who came out, waved, and made the parade another great one!

09/10/2026

Achievement acknowledgement:

Probationary firefighter Kash Nicklin has completed his Exterior training to achieve his Exterior FF certificate!

Congratulations to Kash on his hard work, dedication to getting his practicals, and written exams done.

09/09/2026

Promotion:

Please join us in congratulating Wes Kovacs on his promotion to Deputy Chief of Cherry Creek Fire Department!

Wes will be stepping into the role previously held by Deputy Chief Shane Wangler, who retired in April 2024 after an incredible 30 years of service to CCFD and our community.

Wes has been with Cherry Creek Fire Department for just shy of 10 years, beginning his career as a probationary firefighter and working his way through the NFPA 1001 program before continuing into fire officer training. Most recently, he completed his Fire Officer 2 (NFPA 1021) qualification in January.

Throughout his time with CCFD, Wes has consistently taken on more responsibility and looked for ways to make our department better. He is our dedicated pumping, drafting and emergency vehicle operations instructor, and has played a significant role in developing the skills of our members.

Wes brings an all-in attitude to everything he does. He maintains a high level of attendance at training and department events, regularly takes additional courses to expand his knowledge, and brings that knowledge back to help train others. He continually pushes for positive change through improvements to our policies, training, operations and safety.

That dedication extends beyond the fire hall. This summer, Wes spent an entire month deployed with Engine 33 on a wildland fire assignment, putting his training and leadership to work in a demanding operational environment.

Most importantly, Wes is someone our members know they can approach. He is always willing to answer a question, lend a hand or pick up the phone, even at 3:00 in the morning. Although, to be fair, the voice on the other end of that 3:00 a.m. call may not be quite as cheerful.

We are excited to see Wes take on this new role and continue his commitment to CCFD, our members and the Cherry Creek community.

Congratulations, Deputy Chief Kovacs! We look forward to seeing what you accomplish in this next chapter. 👏🔥

09/07/2026

Update @ 00:51: fire is extinguished.

CCFD responding to brush fire on Alberni Hwy near Coombs Country Candy

09/06/2026

Did you miss it?

On Thursday, Captain Wes Kovacs, Lieutenant Serena Pistotnik and Firefighter Tyler Cheetham did an interview with CBC on the All Points West with Jason D’Souza regarding our recent deployment on the Brunswick Complex.

Take a listen by searching “CBC All Points West interview with Cherry Creek Fire Department”

Unfortunately we aren’t able to post news links on Facebook or other Meta sites due to their rules.

Great job by our team on the interview. You make us proud!