Hornby Island Fire Rescue

Effective noon on Wednesday, September 18, we will be lifting the ban on backyard burning. Burning yard waste can be divided into two categories:

• Category II: The pile is less than 3 meters in diameter and under 2 meters high. It contains material less than 10cm in diameter. You must have some handtools and a hose nearby. No permits are required and waiting for a good ventilation index is neighbourly thing to do.
• Category III: The pile is larger than 3 meters in diameter, build using a machine, or contains logs or stumps. You must have a machine standing by, a water source of at least 2000 litres, and a pump capabile of delivering 200 litres per minute. These piles always require a permit and a good ventilation index.

To report an illegal or dangerous campfire, please call the non-emergency number at the fire hall (250.335.2611) and you will have the option to be connected with a fire patrol member.

Effective noon on Wednesday, August 28, we will be lifting the ban on campfires. Campfires are a half a meter, or less, in diameter and used for cooking, warmth, or ceremony.

Please use water to extinguish your campfire. Burying it in sand leaves a very hot pit which can give a person or animal a nasty burn.

To report an illegal or dangerous campfire, please call the non-emergency number at the fire hall (250.335.2611) and you will have the option to be connected with a fire patrol member.

The Coastal Fire Center of the BC Wildfire Service has put a campfire ban in effect beginning Friday, July 12 at noon. Propane fire rings are still allowed.

Eight new fires have started in BC in the last 24 hours. It’s important that we do what we can to not overwhelm our firefighting resources. It could be a long, hot, dry summer.

If you see a fire on one our beaches, please call the non-emergency number at the fire hall (250.335.2611) and you will have the option to be connected with the fire patroller.

CSA and UL certified propane fire rings are permitted. They can be identified by their lack of smoke, sparks, and consistent flame.

The yard clearing season is coming to a close. Every year it gets a little earlier it seems. A persistent drought, a dry Spring, several fires that escaped on Vancouver Island, and the BC Wildfire Service resources that are mobilized in the North are contributing factors.

If you have an open permit, consider it closed on Friday evening at 1800. No new permits will be written. Campfires (50cm in diameter) are still open and don’t require a permit.

Considering the ongoing drought, and a few oversized burn piles over the last week we now require permits for all burns bigger than a campfire. Permits are free and can be obtained by calling the fire hall at 250.335.2611. Someone will come to inspect your burn pile on Wednesday and Saturday mornings.

The HIFR member who comes to see your backyard burn pile will want to see the following:

• A water source
• Hand tools for extinguishing
• 3m clearance to buildings, tall grass, or stanting timber.

Any burn piles containing logs or stumps are considered category III piles and require:

• A provincial burn number
• 250 gallons of water and a pump capable of delivering 50GPM
• a good vent index
• at least 1km from the school
• more than 500m from the closest residence

What: Cadet Camp 2024 is a day-long event filled with fun and education.

Who: Anyone aged 10-14

When: March 21, 2024 from 1000 to 1530 and 1930-2030

Where: Hornby Island Fire Hall

How: Call the firehall (250.335.2611) or fill out this form. More information can be found here.

The 14 day weather forecasts a warm 6 degrees and sunny for the 2024 edition of the Hornby Island Polar Bear Swim on New Years Day. HIFR will be at Grassy Point beach with trucks, hot dogs, chai and a big bonfire in anticipation of the swimmers hitting the water at noon sharp.

This is a great family event with everyone from 6 years old to those in their 80s swimming or just watching the spectacle.

Pro tips:
1) Bring a mug for the hot chai to avoid a single-use cup.
2) Wear water shoes because the pebbles can be hard on your feet.

For all those who have asked, and those who want to ask….YES…we are chipping yard waste again this year.

The current target date for the start of chipping is December 4th. The program remains the same. Please place the branches aligned in one direction, nothing larger than 10 cm at the base, no invasive species, no leaf piles, and no construction debris. Your piles should be at the edge of the road and not interfere with traffic.

If you have any questions, please contact the firehall (250.335.2611) and we will be glad to help.

HIFR is thrilled to present this year’s Halloween fireworks show. The fuse will be lit at 8PM sharp on October 31. Once again, Outer Island B&B has graciously offered their field for the event.

The best spot for viewing the display will be on DePape Road, near the intersection of Porpoise, close to the water tank.

Many have already heard, but as of noon Wednesday September 27, the ban on campfires and backyard burns has been lifted. We always ask that for backyard burns people look to see if the venting index is good so that you don’t smoke out your neighbours.