Fire and Rescue

9-1-1 Emergencies and Emergency Response

Call 9-1-1 in the event of an emergency or if you see smoke.

In the event of a forest fire or natural disaster go to cordemergency.ca for information on evacuation alerts and orders, emergency reception centre locations, and other important details including how to safely return to your home after a flood or wildfire.

Bylaws

Four primary bylaws relate to West Kelowna Fire Rescue operations and regulate such things as burning, campfires, fees and charges, fire hydrants, fireworks and nuisance smoke:

• Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2010, No. 0093
• City of West Kelowna Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw No. 0095
• City of West Kelowna Fire Rescue Establishment and Operations Bylaw 2010 No. 0114
• Smoke Control Regulatory Bylaw No. 773

Visit the bylaw page for a complete list of West Kelowna bylaws.

Campfires, Fire Pits, Fireworks and Open Burning

Burning Permits/Open Burning

Starting October 1, open burning permits will be available for eligible West Kelowna property owners.

Permits are required during open burning season and only issued for properties greater than one hectare, under specific conditions including suitable air quality and adequate venting. Open burning season is typically from October 1 to April 30, but local fire chiefs may shorten the season in the interest of public health and safety.

To obtain a burning permit, call:

• 778-797-3200 Ext. 1
• Hours: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (excluding holidays), closed noon to 1 p.m.

Check today's Air Quality/Venting conditions.

Campfires

Campfires are currently not permitted.

From the Regional District of Central Okanagan

June 28, 2021 

Effective 12:00 p.m. this Wednesday, June 30, all campfires are prohibited throughout all Central Okanagan municipalities and electoral area Fire Service Areas. 

Due to extreme temperatures, dry conditions and the high-extreme fire danger rating, the campfire ban will remain in effect until further notice.

The campfire ban affects all local government fire jurisdictions in the Regional District of Central Okanagan including the City of West Kelowna, District of Lake Country, District of Peachland, Westbank First Nation and the Ellison, Joe Rich, North Westside and Wilson’s Landing service areas in the Central Okanagan East and West Electoral Areas. Campfires are not permitted at any time within the City of Kelowna. 

Violators could receive a fine and be charged the cost of the fire department response to a burning complaint. Residents are encouraged to report anyone who is illegally burning by calling the Regional Fire Dispatch Centre at 250-469-8577.

Fire departments throughout the Central Okanagan remind residents and visitors that all smoking materials should be fully extinguished and motorists are reminded to use ashtrays and not throw cigarettes or other smoking materials from their vehicle.  

Please remember that smoking is not allowed in any local parks in the Central Okanagan. Smoking is also prohibited in children’s play areas, sports fields, undeveloped parks and wilderness trails in the District of Peachland.

In addition, to prevent accidental fires and injuries, all fireworks are banned within the Central Okanagan, unless specifically permitted by a local fire department. As well, all open burning has been prohibited within the Central Okanagan since April 30.

Fireworks

• Fireworks - only professional public displays are permitted once a license has been obtained from the Fire Chief.

Firefighter Recruitment - Career 

Firefighting is a challenging and demanding occupation. Firefighters must respond
quickly and work effectively as part of a vital team.

Career Firefighting Requirements

Minimum Qualifications at time of application:

• Valid BC Class 3 Driver’s Licence with Air Brake endorsement (or equivalent from another province)
• 18 years of age or older
• Able to swim and physically perform the work
• Current First Aid certificate with at least seven (7) hours of instruction
• IFSAC or Pro Board Accredited NFPA 1001 – Fire Fighting Practices Level I and II Program including NFPA 472 Hazardous Materials Operations
• Legally entitled to work in Canada
• No criminal record
• Medical testing requirements (including vision and hearing) are based upon the NFPA 1582 standard with a restriction placed upon candidates with Category A medical conditions as defined in appendix G, NFPA 1582, Chapter 6, article 6.2.2

Preferred qualifications/skills are:

• Job related certification:

1. NFPA 1002 Standard for Apparatus Driver/Operator Professional
2. NFPA 1006 Vehicle, Rope, Surface Water, Confined Space, Ice Rescue
3. NFPA Fire Inspector Level I
4. NFPA Fire and Life Safety Educator Level I
5. Fire Service Instructor I
6. Fire Systems Technical training
7. First Medical Responder 3 or Emergency Medical Responder

• Experience in the mechanical/construction trades
• Medical Emergency Response experience
• Operation of heavy equipment is an asset
• Volunteer and/or career firefighting experience
• Post-secondary education
• Courageous, forthright and works well under pressure
• Strong team player
• Comfortable being in confined spaces and heights
• Work despite physical discomfort in dangerous and unpleasant situations
• Demonstrate professionalism
• Can take calculated risks to help others in need
• Fire prevention and public education experience

Check careers.westkelownacity.ca for available recruitment opportunities.

Firefighter Recruitment - Paid on Call

Paid On Call Firefighting Requirements

Minimum requirements at time of application are:

• Resident of the City of West Kelowna or Westbank First Nation Tsinstikeptum 9 or 10

• Valid BC Driver's Licence, with no more than 6 points and no prohibitions or suspensions in the past 3 years

• Clear criminal record

• Doctor's consent to participate in physical fitness testing

The Paid On-Call recruit training program is an 18 month process comprised of four hours on Tuesday evenings and one mandatory weekend per month. The training is designed to give the necessary skills to be a Paid On-Call member with West Kelowna Fire Rescue. Training topics will cover Emergency Medical First Responder 3 with AED and Spinal, NFPA 1001, S100/S130 Wildland Firefighter and JIBC Live Fire 1.

Regional Air Quality Program

Our community cares about clean air. Outdoor burning regulations provide residents greater protection from the impact of concentrated smoke.

To learn more about outdoor burning regulations, please visit the Regional Air Quality website.

If you have questions or require more information, please contact the Regional Air Quality Program via email or by phone at 250-469-8408.

Wildfire Danger Rating

For the current rating, see the BC Wildfire Service's West Kelowna Fire Danger Rating. Fire danger ratings can change significantly during fire season, from approximately May to October.

To learn more about wildfire response in British Columbia, including a list of active fires, official danger ratings throughout the province and how to prevent forest and grass fires, please visit BC Wildfire.