FireWatch
FireWatch is a service that provides links to news stories from the fire community that have attracted our attention.
Wildfires are getting bigger and more frequent – can anything be done?
While climate change is contributing to more and bigger wildfires, particularly in BC and California, humans also have a lot to do with worsening wildfires. Can anything be done? Click here to read more.
Consultation to create national Indigenous Fire Marshal’s office to begin
The Aboriginal Firefighters Association of Canada will begin hosting consultations across the country this fall and winter with a target of April 1, 2019 to establish a national Indigenous Fire Marshal's office. Click here to read more.
Are Canadian museums vulnerable to fire?
After a devastating fire destroyed Brazil's National Museum Canadian museums are evaluating their emergency preparedness. Click here to read more.
Ford F-150s recalled due to seatbelt fire risk
Two million Ford F-150 pickups, including 340,000 in Canada, have been recalled due to a problem with the seatbelt pretensioners. Some pretensioners can generate excessive sparks when they deploy. There have been seventeen reports of smoke or fire in the U.S. and...
When to evacuate residents during a wildfire
A researcher at South Dakota State University has used fire spread modeling in conjunction with traffic simulation modeling to help emergency managers make decisions around evacuating residents during a wildfire. Click here to read more.
Acid leak on highway leads to multiple insurance claims
An incident involving two transport trucks leaking sulphuric acid on the main highway through Trail, BC has lead to 2,500 insurance claims for vehicle damage. Among the vehicles damaged were the city's year-old fire truck and a fire command vehicle. Click here to read...
Regina considers new fees under its fire bylaw
In an effort to improve public safety and align with provincial legislation and the National Fire Code the City of Regina is considering introducing new fees, including charging for false fire alarms, facility inspections and permits for open-air fires and selling...
June in fire history – Air Canada Flight 797
On June 2, 1983 Air Canada Flight 797 travelling from Dallas/Fort Worth to Montreal developed an in-flight fire behind the lavatory that forced the aircraft to divert to Cincinnati for an emergency landing. Twenty-three passengers died in the incident, which became a...
Forecasters predict hot dry conditions in western Canada this summer
The Canadian Wildland Fire Information System is predicting hot, dry weather across a large swath of Western Canada for the summer of 2018. Click here to read more.
Tom Cartwright named Ontario fire chief of the year
Tom Cartwright of Port Colborne, Ontario has been named Ontario Fire Chief of the Year. Since a tragic multiple death fire in 2016 Chief Colborne has been an advocate for the need for fire departments to take a more proactive approach to fire safety and prevention....
Review of BC’s 2017 wildfires calls for overhaul of disaster response practices
The results of an independent review of British Columbia's response to 2017's wildfires and floods have been published. The report, entitled "Addressing the New Normal: 21st Century Disaster Management in B.C." highlights the gap between spending on response versus...
Cities struggle to establish battery safety standards
Cities are struggling to establish safety standards for lithium-ion batteries even as their uses continue to expand. City planners are concerned about power storage units in basements and on rooftops. Click here to read more.
Ontario fire chief fights forced retirement
The former fire chief of Renfrew, Ontario has vowed to fight what he considers to be an illegal termination of his employment. Guy Longtin was terminated when his position was included in a mandatory retirement policy for firefighters. Click here to read more.
Saskatchewan will use sprayer planes to help fight wildfires
May in fire history – the Slave Lake wildfire
From May 14 to 16, 2011 a huge wildfire pushed by 100 km per hour winds burned through the town of Slave Lake, Alberta forcing the complete evacuation of the town and surrounding area and causing roughly $750 million in insurable damage. Click here to read more.
New Vancouver firehall shares space with supportive housing
2017 BC wildfires triggered monster thunderstorm
On August 12, 2017 the heat from four wildfires in British Columbia triggered monstrous thunderstorms comparable to a volcanic eruption. Click here to read more.
FD Instructors’ Conference gets first look at virtual reality training
Attendees at this year's Fire Department Instructors' Conference in Indianopolis will get their first look at a virtual reality firefighter training system. Click here to read more.
