Coombs-Hilliers Volunteer Fire Department

09/29/2026

Thanks to recent widespread rain and the transition to fall weather conditions, we have seen an overall decrease in the fire danger rating within the coastal region.

As a result, we will be lifting the remaining Category 2 (backyard) and Category 3 (Industrial) burning prohibitions in all areas, effective at noon (PCT) on Wednesday, September 30.

The Category 1 (campfire) prohibition was previously lifted for the Coastal Fire Centre on September 3.

Please note that local authorities are likely to have their own burning bylaws in place, and residents are asked to check in with their local government before lighting any type of open fire.

Regardless of the conditions, we ask all residents to be responsible with their use of open fire, or when engaging in any activity that could potentially spark a wildfire.

For the full information bulletin and related links, visit: https://blog.gov.bc.ca/bcwildfire/full-rescind-of-category-2-and-category-3-prohibitions-in-coastal-fire-centre/

09/17/2026

Join our team!!

We are currently recruiting our next class of paid-on-call firefighters.

Fill out an application for our 2026 Fall Recruitment here:

https://rdn.bc.ca/coombs-hilliers-fire-department-members

✅️ Click on "Application Form" under Aplication Process

● No experience necessary
● Training provided
● Benefits Package available
● Professional Firefighter Certification
●Give back to your community
●Be part of a dedicated team
●Learn new skills and challenge yourself

More questions? Email us at [email protected]

09/03/2026

Congratulations to Recruit Angus Menninga on receiving his pager.

Angus began his training in January with his recruit class and has worked hard to complete enough of his initial training to now join our fully trained firefighters out on calls.

While classroom and practical training are an important part of becoming a firefighter, so much valuable learning happens on actual incidents — working alongside experienced members of our crew and gaining hands-on experience.

Well done Angus on this amazing milestone!

09/02/2026

Update on the campfire ban from BC Wildfire Service:

PARKSVILLE – Effective at 12 p.m. (noon) PDT on Thursday, September 3, 2026, Category 1 open fire (campfire) prohibitions in the Coastal Fire Centre’s jurisdiction will be rescinded in all areas. In addition, the Category 2 (backyard burning) and Category 3 (industrial burning) prohibitions will be rescinded in the Haida Gwaii Forest District at the same time and date.

Category 2 and Category 3 open fires remain prohibited throughout the Coastal Fire Centre’s jurisdiction with the exception of the Haida Gwaii Forest District, along with the following activities and equipment:

-Binary exploding targets
-Fireworks (Fireworks Act)
-Burn barrels or burn cages of any size or description
-Controlled air incinerators
-Air curtain burners
-Carbonizers

For more information: https://blog.gov.bc.ca/bcwildfire/campfire-prohibitions-to-be-rescinded-in-coastal-fire-centre-with-further-rescindments-in-the-haida-gwaii-forest-district/

08/13/2026

Congratulations to Recruit Justin Stokes on receiving his pager.

This is an exciting milestone as Justin has completed enough of his initial training to begin responding to calls alongside our fully trained crew and gain valuable hands-on experience.

Well done, Justin!

08/12/2026

Thinking of becoming a member of our team?

Fill out an application for our 2026 Fall Recruitment!

https://rdn.bc.ca/coombs-hilliers-fire-department-members

✅️ Click on "Application Form" under Aplication Process

● No experience necessary
● Training provided
● Benefits Package available
● Professional Firefighter Certification
●Give back to your community
●Be part of a dedicated team
●Learn new skills and challenge yourself

More questions? Email us at [email protected]

07/14/2026

Please see the details from BCWS on the upcoming burn ban for our area.

Effective at 12:00 p.m. (noon) PDT on Thursday, July 16, 2026, Category 1, 2 and 3 open fires will be prohibited throughout the Coastal Fire Centre’s jurisdiction, with exceptions for Category 1 campfires in parts of the North Island and Sunshine Coast.

Category 1 campfires will remain permitted in the Campbell River Forest District, North Island Central Coast Forest District, Haida Gwaii Forest District and Sunshine Coast Forest District. These areas are currently experiencing different weather and fuel conditions than other parts of the Coastal Fire Centre, with fire danger ratings and fire weather indices indicating a lower wildfire risk at this time.

Conditions are continually monitored, and restrictions are implemented where they are needed most to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires and help protect communities, responders and our forests.

For more information, including a map outlining the affected area, please visit: https://blog.gov.bc.ca/bcwildfire/partial-category-1-campfire-prohibition-for-the-coastal-fire-centre/

07/02/2026

Our crew (and family members) were pleased to participate in the Canada Day Parade hosted by City of Parksville yesterday.

Pictures of our firefighters with Engine 105 and Tender 101.

🚒🇨🇦

05/14/2026

Please join us in congratulating Firefighter Kerri Wilson on completing her NFPA 1001 Fire Fighter 1 & 2 certification.

Many hours of hard work go into completing the 1001 program, and it takes real commitment and dedication to see it through. Well done, Kerri!

05/13/2026

Current and forecast conditions have shifted since the Coastal Fire Centre initially implemented the Category 1 campfire prohibition earlier this May, resulting in cooler temperatures, improved humidity values and an overall reduction in wildfire hazard throughout the region. Because of this, Category 1 campfires will be once again permitted under the Coastal Fire Centre’s jurisdiction as of Friday, May 15, 2026, at 12 p.m. (noon).

Although the fire risk has decreased for the region, human-caused wildfires are still possible and entirely preventable. Please take the time to learn how to enjoy a campfire safely: gov.bc.ca/saferburning

Category 2 and 3 open burning and select activities and equipment remain prohibited throughout the Coastal Fire Centre. For full details, please refer to the following information bulletin: https://blog.gov.bc.ca/bcwildfire/campfires-permitted-across-coastal-fire-centre-due-to-decreased-fire-risk/