Hornby Island Fire Rescue

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.

We have lowered the flag on the Hornby Fire Hall to acknowledge the passing of Denman Island Fire Chief Don Luckett (retired). Chief Luckett died this morning after a battle with cancer. Our thoughts are with our friends at Denman Island Fire Rescue and Chief Luckett’s friends and family.

The BC Wildfire Service has put a campfire ban in effect beginning today at noon. Propane fire rings are still allowed.

With the hot dry weather coming this weekend, we have made he decision to shut down back yard burns as of this weekend. If you have an existing permit please consider that it is over as of Saturday. If we get a reprieve in the weather we may well allow burning again, but with a wildfire already going on Vancouver Island the prudent thing to do is to minimize risk.

It has been a few years, but we’re back with another Cadet Camp. This is a one-day camp for kids aged 10- 14. They’ll learn fire safety, how to escape a burning building, first aid, use real fire extinguishers to put out a real fire, and advance and spray a fire hose.

They’ll come back in the evening to show off their new skills in front of their parents and family. We’ll be at the firehall all day except for an afternoon event in the school parking lot.

We’ll be holding it on March 30 from 10AM – 3:30PM. Lunch is included and the camp is free. You can register at this link, or by calling the fire station office at 250.335.2611.

If you see smoke in Helliwell……all is well. The province is continuing its work with a contractor to remove fuels via contained burning.

After far too many cancelled years, it’s back!

The weather is forecasted to be a warm 5 degrees with a slight chance of showers for the 2022 edition of the Hornby Island Polar Bear Swim. HIFR will be at Grassy Point beach with trucks, hot dogs, chai and a big bonfire in anticipation of the multitude of 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.

Saturday, Nov 19, 10-noon at the fire hall. There will be coffee and cookies!

Things to remember:

• Please align all your branches in one direction with the thick ends all together
• Nothing thicker than 16 cm (6″)
• Nothing longer than 32′
• Have your piles at the end of your driveway by the starting date but please don’t block traffic
• NO invasive species such as Scotch Broom, English Holly, Knotweed or Hogweed
• NO lumber or construction waste
• NO bags of leaves or grass clippings

This is a great program that removes fuel that can feed a wildfire near your house as well as improving the quality of our air by reducing burn piles.

We are sad to say that we have had to cancel fireworks this year due to the dry conditions.

While it might rain before Halloween, we just can’t be sure that it will, and so we had to decide to hold off.