FireWatch
FireWatch is a service that provides links to news stories from the fire community that have attracted our attention.
Alberta ranchers demand answers from Canadian military
Alberta ranchers who lost homes, structures, equipment, fences and cattle after a grass fire that started on CFB Suffield swept through 36,000 hectares of land are asking for compensation and answers from the Canadian military. The military has acknowledged...
September in fire history – the Blue Bird Cafe fire
On September 1, 1972 three young men who had been refused entry set a fire on the staircase that served as the only regular entrance for the Wagon Wheel bar in Montreal. The resulting fire killed 37 people. Click here to read more.
Government declares Canadian National Firefighters Memorial Day
Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Minister Ralph Goodale announced the Government of Canada has set aside the second Sunday in September as National Firefighters Memorial Day. here to read more.
Can wildfire smoke damage lungs?
For weeks this summer residents of British Columbia, Alberta, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Northern California lived in a pall of wildfire smoke. NPR's Jane Greenhalgh met with Dr. Gopal Allada, a pulmonologist and critical care specialist at Oregon Health...
Is BC doing enough to reduce wildfire risk to communities
After the catastrophic 2003 wildfire season former Manitoba premier Gary Filmon was hired by the province to conduct a review. His report, "Firestorm 2003", warned that action had to be taken to reduce fuels in forests near communities. Communities are now saying the...
CSB releases video on fire safety for school presentations
Brantford Fire Department demonstrates dorm room burn
Wilfred Laurier University and the Brantford Fire Department staged a dorm room burn on campus to demonstrate how quickly people need to react to a fire. Click here to read more.
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...
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