Kitselas Emergency Response Division

08/20/2025

Please be aware

07/22/2025

Heat-related illness can happen when you aren't able to cool your home during extreme heat. Plan ahead by identifying places in your community you can visit to get cool, such as libraries, shopping malls, or community cooling centres: PreparedBC.ca/ExtremeHeat

During extreme heat, it's important to check in on loved ones and neighbours (especially older adults) to make sure they're staying hydrated and spending time in cool spaces. If you live alone, have a buddy who can

A few basic modifications to your home can make a big difference during extreme heat. For example, you can weather-strip doors and windows, cover windows with drapes or shades, and install a heat pump. Learn more: PreparedBC.ca/ExtremeHeat

Too much heat can be harmful to your health. Heat-related illnesses such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion, or heat stroke, are the result of your body gaining heat faster than it can cool down.

Stay safe and cool indoors during extreme heat by taking the following steps:

• Stay in air-conditioned spaces

• Sleep in the coolest room of your residence

• Take cool baths/showers

• Drink plenty of water

Stay safe and cool outdoors during extreme heat:

• Lower your activity level

• Never leave children or pets in a parked car

• Stay in the shade and wear UV protection

• Seek cooler, breezier areas like parks near water & trees

Extreme heat is dangerous and can cause illness and death. There are things you can do to prepare.

06/26/2025

Information Sharing! Campfires are still allowed but a certain size of half metre high, half metre wide or smaller.

Effective at 12 p.m. (noon) PDT on Friday, June 27, Category 2 and 3 open fires and associated equipment and activities will be prohibited across the Northwest Fire Centre. This prohibition will remain in place until 12 p.m. (noon) PDT on Sept. 29, 2025, or until the public is otherwise notified.

This prohibition does not ban Category 1 (campfires) that are a half-metre high by half-metre wide or smaller. For more information on open burning, including a description of each category of burn, please visit our Open fire and safer burning webpage: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content?id=28DB52BC27B94C01B98E246B2DE423DB

For more information on the prohibitions coming to the Northwest Fire Centre, including a full list of prohibited activities, please visit: https://blog.gov.bc.ca/bcwildfire/category-2-3-open-fire-prohibitions-planned-for-the-entire-northwest-fire-centre/

06/20/2025

Information Sharing

Measles cases are on the rise in BC.

If you think you've been exposed or have symptoms, call your Community Health Nurse, health care provider, local health unit, or 811 (BC Nurse Line) before visiting a clinic.

Calling ahead helps you get care faster and prevents the spread to others.

06/05/2025

***Update***

Effective at 12:00 (noon) Pacific Daylight Time on Friday, June 6, 2025, Category 3 open fires will be prohibited across the Cassiar Fire Zone and parts of the Skeena Fire Zone. This includes the Old Kalum portion of the Coast Mountain Forest District and the Stikine portion of the Skeena Stikine Forest District.

On May 9, 2025, Category 3 open fires were prohibited across the Bulkley and Nadina Fire Zones, including the Nadina Forest District and the Skeena portion of the Skeena Stikine Forest District.

Anyone conducting a Category 3 open fire within these regions must extinguish any such fire by 12:00 (noon) PDT, June 6, 2025. This prohibition will remain in place until 12:00 (noon) PDT, September 29, 2025, or until the public is otherwise notified.

For more information, visit: https://blog.gov.bc.ca/bcwildfire/category-3-open-fire-prohibition-planned-for-parts-of-the-northwest-fire-centre-2/

01/13/2025

Attention Gitselasu Communities,

A Message from the Local Fire Department and Kitselas Emergency Response:

To ensure the safety and efficiency of emergency operations, we kindly request that all non-emergency personnel stay clear of active emergency scenes.
Members of the public who approach, linger near, or attempt to draw others to emergency areas are considered Nuisance Spectators and will be asked to leave.
The best way to support our responders is to keep a safe distance from the scene and any potential hazards, allowing trained professionals to do their work without interference.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

11/18/2024

Winter weather is showing up in the RDKS! Wind, snow, ice and other severe weather can lead to emergency situations like power outages and even flooding. Prepare your home and yourself for the season:

✔️ Make sure you have an adequate supply of food and water
✔️ Have a battery-operated radio
✔️ Stow flashlights with extra batteries
✔️ Winterize your home
✔️ Inspect your chimney or flue

Be prepared - download the guide at: preparedbc.ca/SevereWeather

11/06/2024

**Update**

09/25/2024

~Gitaus Residents~
Our firesmart crew will be burning brush the next few days, so don’t be alarmed by the smoke

09/23/2024

The BC River Forecast Centre has issued a High Streamflow Advisory for the Skeena River watershed including Kitsumkalum and tributaries and smaller streams around Kispiox, Hazelton, Gitsegukla, Gitanyow, Gitwangak, and other communities downstream. The Centre is also maintaining a High Streamflow Advisory for the North Coast including tributaries and smaller streams near Gitlax̱t'aamiks (New Aiyansh), Terrace, and Stewart.

If the situation changes there will be a notification. However, please visit the River Forecast Centre website for the most up-to-date info: https://bcrfc.env.gov.bc.ca/warnings/index.htm

09/23/2024

Kitselas membership, plz complete the survey

Kitselas members are invited to participate in a survey on rail safety. Please complete the survey before October 7th, and ensure that your voice on this important issue is heard! The survey can be completed via surveymonkey with this link:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WYD7S6Y

08/28/2024

Information Sharing

plz see below

Effective at 12 p.m. (noon) PDT on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, Category 1 (campfires) and Category 2 open fires will be allowed throughout the entirety of the Northwest Fire Centre.

As well, the Category 3 open burning prohibition prohibition will be partially rescinded. Category 3 open burning will be permitted in the Stikine (Cassiar) portion of the Skeena Stikine Forest District and the North Coast portion of the Coast Mountain Forest District. Category 3 open burning will remain prohibited in the Nadina Forest District, the Skeena portion of the Skeena Stikine Forest District and the Old Kalum portion of the Coast Mountains Forest District.

This change in prohibitions is a result of the recent rain, cooler temperatures and improved overnight recoveries. However please always use caution when lighting any fire in areas where it is allowed.

More information here: https://blog.gov.bc.ca/bcwildfire/changes-to-campfire-and-open-burning-prohibitions-in-the-northwest-fire-centre/