Firefighter hurt as overnight blaze destroys provincial courthouse in Golden, B.C.
Fire swept through the courthouse in the town of Golden in southeastern British Columbia, injuring one firefighter battling the flames.
Golden Fire Department deputy chief Rob Perry offered few details but confirmed the injury and said the firefighter was treated in hospital.
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More Support for Volunteer Fire Departments
Volunteer fire departments, ground search and rescue organizations, and First Nations fire departments will get help to address the impacts of rising operational costs.
The Province is investing almost $3.5 million to provide one-time grants to more than 340 organizations. Each group will receive $10,000.
How Do Wildfires Affect Local Economies?
Wildfires have been growing in frequency and severity in the United States over the last several years. Although most fires occur in forests or other wildlands, away from where large numbers of people live and work, recent large wildfires have spread into populated areas and have resulted in heavy damages.
In 2018, the Camp Fire, the largest wildfire in US history, destroyed 18,804 structures and killed 85 people in Paradise, California. Of the top 10 costliest fires (measured by insured losses), 8 have occurred since 2017.
15% of Castlegar Fire Department calls made to homeless shelter area
More than 15 per cent of the Castlegar Fire Department’s calls during 2022 were made to the area in and around The Way Out Shelter at 1660 Columbia Avenue.
Langford fire chief calls for change to end firefighter cancer deaths
Langford Fire Chief Chris Aubrey says changes are needed to stop firefighters from dying of cancer, as he paid tribute to Assistant Chief Lance Caven on Tuesday (March 21).
The type of cancer Caven died from is one of 13 on the province’s list of presumptive work-related cancers for firefighters. If a firefighter is diagnosed with one of those cancers, they don’t have to prove the cancer is work-related to get compensation under the Workers Compensation Act.
Mayor calls for crackdown on illegal Airbnb rentals after deadly fire in Old Montreal
As firefighters continued their search Monday to find victims of a fatal fire in Old Montreal, the city’s mayor, Valérie Plante, called on the Quebec government and Airbnb to work more closely with the municipality to crack down on illegal short-term rentals.
The body of one victim was recovered yesterday from the rubble of the multi-unit heritage building ravaged by fire on Thursday. Six other people are still missing.
Communities benefit from funding for firefighting equipment, training
More than 110 volunteer and composite fire departments throughout B.C. will receive their share of $6.3 million for equipment and training to bolster firefighting response to make people and communities safer.
Lithium ion batteries have caused 4 times amount of fires than this time last year, FDNY says
Fire department inspectors are cracking down on people who violate rules on lithium ion batteries.
These batteries are blamed for causing an increasing number of fires.
The FDNY conducted a joint operation at five locations in Manhattan earlier this week where they found rows of batteries being charged on wooden shelves.
Firefighters battle blaze at Hong Kong high-rise building site
Firefighters in Hong Kong are battling a huge blaze at a high-rise building under construction in the Kowloon district, which has forced the evacuation of some nearby apartment blocks.
It eventually escalated to the fourth level of severity on a five-point scale and about 130 people living in three buildings nearby were evacuated early on Friday amid concerns the fire might spread.
Multiple floors of the structure – including scaffolding – were on fire and burning debris floated in the air. Some fell to the ground.