Historic lookout wrapped in fire-resistant material to save it from wildfire
When the Scorpion Fire put the Gold Butte Lookout in danger firefighters wrapped the historic structure in fire-resistant material. Click here to read more.
Scientists develop explosion and fire resistant lithium ion batteries
Scientists have developed lithium-ion batteries that are explosion and fire resistant while still producing enough energy for use in household electronics. Click here to read more.
Firefighters battle to save iconic Waterton Park hotel
Teams of firefighters from Taber, Coaldale, Lethbridge, Willow Creek, Calgary and Cardston arrived in Waterton National Park to protect the townsite from a raging wildfire. They employed high volume pumps, hoses and sprinkler systems in their efforts to save...
Houston residents warned of risks from bacteria, alligators
In the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey Houston residents are being warned to take precautions before returning to flooded homes. Houston's fire chief has told residents to wear breathing masks to protect themselves against sewer bacteria and to be aware that alligators...
June in fire history – the Great Vancouver Fire
On June 13, 1886 what began as a land-clearing brush fire was spread out of control by strong winds. The fire claimed dozens of lives and leveled all but a few structures in the newly incorporated city. The fire went down in history as the Great Vancouver Fire. Click...
Body of Cache Creek Fire Chief found
The body of Cache Creek Fire Chief Clayton Cassidy has been found near the bridge washout where he disappeared nearly a month ago. Chief Cassidy was with the Cache Creek Volunteer Fire Department for over 30 years and received the Medal of Good Citizenship from...
Health Canada warns of potential dangers of oil lamps sold by Firefly
Health Canada is warning consumers that lamp oils and other related products sold by Firefly do not have child-resistant closures or display proper warning information. Health Canada has asked Firefly to voluntarily recall the products but has received no response....
New technology helps Seattle Fire responses
What to do if your pants are on fire
Fatal foster home fire blamed on bolted door, loose rules
A seventeen year old girl and a caregiver died in a fire in a group home near Lindsay, Ontario in February of this year. The victims were trapped in a room where the exit door was bolted shut. In Ontario foster homes and group homes operate under different licensing...
Recruitment huge issue for volunteer fire departments
In towns in Canada served by volunteer fire departments recruitment has become a huge issue. Because many volunteer departments follow the same training guidelines as paid fire departments the time commitment, for people who in many cases already hold down a full-time...
FireSmart Home Development Guide now available to all Canadians
FireSmart Canada, in partnership with The Cooperators, has developed the "FireSmart Home Development Guide". The Guide contains specific measures homeowners can take to reduce the risk of wildfire damage, including choices of building materials and building design....
Carrier Corp. recalls heat pumps due to fire hazard
Carrier Corporation has recalled certain heat pumps because the capacitors in the control board may stop working, causing the unit to overheat, posing a fire hazard. Approximately 2,000 of the units were sold in Canada. Click here to read more.
Inquest told ice rescues risky, rarely successful
An inquest looking into the deaths of two Ontario firefighters during training for ice rescues has heard rescue operations in icy, swift water are rarely successful. Private safety training courses in the province are unregulated and the Ontario Fire College does not...
May in fire history – Slave Lake wildfire
The Slave Lake wildfire, which destroyed roughly one-third of the Town of Slave Lake, Alberta, burned through the town from May 14 to May 16, 2011. The town hall, library and radio station were completely gutted and 732 residents were left homeless. Insurable damage...
Tokyo F.D.’s new test room imitates extreme heat, cold
The Tokyo Fire Department recently unveiled its new testing room where extreme climate conditions can be artificially created. The testing room will be used to conduct research on countering heatstroke in preparation for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and to develop...
Winnipeg bylaw will expand fire safety inspections, introduce fees
A proposed fire prevention bylaw in Winnipeg would include mandatory fire safety inspection standards for food-trucks and illegal rooming houses, prohibit the use of sky lanterns and allow fees to be charged for new fire safety inspections. It would also allow fire...
Saint John lacks centralized emergency plan
Saint John's industrial area is home to Canada's largest oil refinery, a LNG terminal, natural gas pipelines and rail lines that carry a variety of industrial cargo. Fire Chief Kevin Clifford wants to use a new approach to emergency response plans that would have the...
Recent Articles
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Vancouver firefighters get $2.8M from city to procure gear free of cancer-causing chemicals.
