Vernon Fire Rescue Services

LABOUR DAY WEEKEND SAFETY REMINDER 🚒

As we enjoy the final long weekend of summer, Vernon Fire Rescue Services reminds everyone to take a few extra moments to keep yourselves, your families and our community safe.

🔥 Fire & outdoor safety
• Never leave a campfire, BBQ or outdoor cooking unattended.
• Make sure fires are completely extinguished.
• Keep anything that can burn well away from heat sources.

🚗 Be safe on the roads
• Plan ahead and never drive impaired.
• Slow down, stay focused and watch for pedestrians, cyclists and other road users.
• Give yourself extra time — arriving safely is what matters.

And tomorrow, school is back!
As students return to classrooms, please slow down and watch for children and youth walking, biking and crossing our roads. Pay extra attention in school zones, around school buses and at crosswalks.

A new school year means more activity on our roads and sidewalks. Put the phone down, slow down and give students the space they need to get to school safely.

From all of us at Vernon Fire Rescue Services, have a safe and enjoyable Labour Day weekend and welcome back, students! ❤

Let’s make safety part of the routine, all year long.

🏕️🔥Campfires return to Vernon at 12 p.m. on September 3.

While cooler temperatures and recent precipitation have reduced wildfire risk, residents are reminded to enjoy campfires safely and responsibly. Category 2 and 3 open fires remain prohibited.

The BC Wildfire Service has also rescinded the off-road vehicle prohibition throughout the Kamloops Fire Centre. Residents using off-road vehicles are encouraged to continue exercising caution.

Visit our website for more information: https://bit.ly/4x2iXVm

UPDATE - Sept 1 @ 4:10 p.m. - We are happy to announce that these fires have been extinguished, and the wildlife viewing tower remains untouched. Thank you to the BX/Swan Lake and Vernon Fire Departments for their quick action and commitment to protecting our community!

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UPDATE - Sept 1 @ 3:41 p.m. - We have been advised that there are 2 fires approximately 200 meters apart. The Vernon Fire Department is also on site to assist. Crews are working to protect the wildlife viewing tower, and progress is looking positive.

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We are aware of a grass fire burning on the south side of the RDNO Swan Lake Nature Reserve. The BX/Swan Lake Fire Department is currently responding and on scene. Residents are asked to avoid the park area while crews respond. Updates will be posted here as they are received.

‼️Vernon Fire Rescue Services (VFRS) are currently on scene responding to a structure fire in the 2600 block of 43rd Avenue.

Approximately 35 firefighters are on scene from VFRS, Coldstream Fire Rescue, Armstrong-Spallumcheen Fire Rescue, and BX/Swan Lake Fire Rescue.

Firefighters continue to action the fire to bring it under control. The public is asked to avoid the area to allow crews to safely carry out operations.

Crews will remain on scene overnight to continue firefighting operations.

No injuries have been reported and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Our FireSmart crew will be at the Rock for Relief - Downtown Sounds on August 27th. Come by and say hello and ask us your FireSmart questions.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1c7xXB1RZi/

Our Technical Rope Rescue Team was out training today, practicing the specialized skills required to perform rescues in steep, remote, and hard-to-access locations.

These scenarios require precision, teamwork, and a commitment to ongoing training. The hours invested today help ensure we are prepared for tomorrow's emergencies.

Thank you for all of your support in Vernon!

Thank you to our staff and volunteers for supporting those impacted by wildfires in British Columbia.❤️ Here our team is supporting at the City of Vernon reception centre⬇️

We continue to work with municipal, provincial and federal governments, as well as Indigenous leadership and stand ready to support individuals, families and communities impacted, at the request of authorities.

You can help by donating to the 2026 British Columbia Wildfires Appeal at: https://brnw.ch/21x4Xie or text BCFIRES to 20222 to donate $10.

🚒 Strengthening emergency response through collaboration.

The City of Vernon and the District of Coldstream have launched a two-year Automatic Aid Pilot Project between Vernon Fire Rescue Services and the Coldstream Fire Department.

The project will allow additional personnel and equipment to begin responding sooner, helping firefighters address emergencies more effectively during critical early stages.

Residents will continue to receive fire protection from their local fire department, with no changes to 9-1-1 services or fire station locations.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/4fZpoU0