Fire and Rescue

West Kelowna Fire Rescue is dedicated to providing emergency response, fire prevention and protection and rescue services for West Kelowna and Westbank First Nation residents and partners with fire departments in other jurisdictions when needed to deal with regional, provincial and national emergencies.

Fire 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, 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 wildfires, please visit BC Wildfire.

Campfires and Open Burning

West Kelowna Fire Rescue is dedicated to the prevention of fire, fire safety education, and the protection of persons and property from fire. Residents assist in achieving the department's objectives by ensuring they follow regulations and obtain the necessary permits or permissions.

Permits are required for the following:

Open Burning (only permitted on properties greater than 1 hectare, under specific conditions), check today's Air Quality/Venting conditions. To obtain a burning permit during burning season (Oct 1 - Apr 30, depending on conditions), please visit West Kelowna Fire Rescue's administrative offices.
Fireworks (professional public display only, with licence)

Permits are not required for the following:

Campfires and/or Fire Pits (may be banned at certain times of year) in accordance with Campfire Restrictions. A notice will be posted on our homepage when a campfire ban is in effect.

Outdoor Burning

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.

Bylaws

West Kelowna Fire Rescue provides fire prevention and suppression services including but not limited to rescue, disaster planning, and medical first responder with the City of West Kelowna boundaries.

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.

Fire Rescue Bylaws:

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.

Recruitment (Career and Paid On Call)

West Kelowna Fire Rescue is not currently recruiting new members

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

Firefighters perform functions in a number of areas, including, but not limited to, the following:

Firefighting
Promotion of fire prevention and public education
Protecting both the public and the environment from hazardous materials concerns
Emergency medical care through the First Responder Program
Public service
Post-fire inspections and overhaul
Performing auto extrication at accident scenes
Participation in a variety of training programs to maintain or upgrade the latest firefighting methods and technology

Firefighters encounter many challenges in fighting fires such as identifying the source of the fire, using appropriate suppression techniques and search and rescue of victims.

Firefighting is very physically demanding work and involves hauling heavy equipment, ascending and descending on ground extension ladders and fire escapes, working in extreme heat and smoke and working in confined spaces with limited vision.

Firefighting is also very mentally demanding and requires constant and ever-expanding knowledge for department personnel. Experience with West Kelowna Fire Rescue ranges from the newest recruit to firefighters with over 30 years of service.

Regional Emergency

The City of West Kelowna is a member of the Regional District of Central Okanagan's Regional Emergency Program. For information on preparedness or up-to-date emergency information, go to www.cordemergency.ca