Smithers Volunteer Fire Fighters Association

08/21/2026

BC Wildfire Service has announced that effective at 12 p.m. (noon) PDT on Saturday, August 22, 2026, Category 2 open burning will be prohibited across the entire Northwest Fire Centre.

In addition to Category 2 and Category 3 open fires, the following activities and use of equipment, materials and substances will also be prohibited:
- Air curtain burners
- Carbonizers
- Binary exploding targets
- Fireworks, as defined in the Fireworks Act of BC
- Burn barrels or burn cages of any size and description
- Controlled air incinerators

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

For information about Outdoor Burning in the Town of Smithers, visit: https://www.smithers.ca/public-safety/fire-rescue-services/outdoor-burning

08/19/2026

Yesterday we did a crew swap for our deployed engine as it will continue to be deployed in the Cache Creek area.

08/11/2026

08/07/2026

Good-luck to Lt. Hofsink, FF Holland and FF Stefanek!

Smithers Fire Department sent a Type 5 Wildland Engine to Cache Creek to support BC Wildfire in their response efforts at the Big Bar Complex.

This truck and three-person crew support response within the wildland urban interface (WUI) by providing structure protection and structure defense when wildfires encroach on communities. They suppress and patrol for fire along the WUI boundary, deliver water and defend structures when required.

Smithers Fire Department's structure protection equipment that was set-up at Cedarvale has been removed and retuned to Smithers after the recent rainfall reduced the activity and risk of the Coyote Creek wildfire.

We wish everyone who's gone to help a safe deployment. We're grateful to be able to support other communities when they are in need.

08/07/2026

Proud of all the Smithers responders assisting with the Provincial wildfire response. Go BESS!

08/07/2026

Last week Lt. Vandewater deployed to Merrit to assist with the provincial wildfire response. Lt. Vandewater deployed as a Task Force Leader. A Task Force Leader (TFL) directs mixed groups of personnel, crews, and equipment to complete tactical missions during wild-land fire operations.

07/23/2026

Today Smithers Fire Rescue, along with support from Telkwa Fire and Houston Fire, deployed our Structure Protection Unit. We are deploying to support BC Wildfire on fire R41118 on highway 16.

07/14/2026

Effective at 12 p.m. (noon) PDT on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, Category 2 open burning will be prohibited across the entire Northwest Fire Centre.

Category 3 open burning remains prohibited across the Northwest Fire Centre, which includes the Nadina Forest District, the Coast Mountain Forest District and the Skeena Stikine Forest District.

Read the full Information Bulletin here: https://blog.gov.bc.ca/bcwildfire/category-2-open-fire-prohibition-planned-for-the-northwest-fire-centre/

06/24/2026

As we enjoy these warm summer days, it's a good reminder that as of June 19, 2026, Category 2 open fire prohibitions have been expanded across the entire Northwest Fire Centre. This includes the Nadina Forest District, Coast Mountain Forest District, and Skeena Stikine Forest District. Category 3 open fires remain prohibited across the Northwest Fire Centre.

For more information visit www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/wildfire-status/prevention/fire-bans-and-restrictions/northwest-fire-centre-bans

06/15/2026