Golden B.C. Fire-Rescue

👩‍🚒It's FireSmart Friday!

🚒If you are interested in learning about the FireSmart program and wildfire preparedness, join our FireSmart Coordinator, Michelangelo Mingarelli, for an informative workshop at the Golden Seniors Centre on August 27 from 6 to 8 p.m.!

👇The workshop will cover:
🔹FireSmart best practices for homeowners and property preparedness.
🔹How to download and set up notifications in the Alertable App.
🔹How to register for and use the BC Services Card App on a smartphone or tablet.

👩‍🚒The evening will include presentations, the opportunity for questions and one-on-one support with downloading, setting up, and using the applications!

👉The event is free so come out and learn more about how you can protect your home, your community and the people you care about!

🧑‍🚒For further information, questions or to learn more about how to get a FireSmart Assessment for your home and property, reach out to Michelangelo at [email protected] or 250-344-1337.

🚒This week, two members of Golden Fire Rescue were deployed to the Kimberley, B.C. area, to support wildfire response operations alongside crews from across the province.

👩‍🚒Captain Dave Lawson and Firefighter Nikita Moore are among many personnel from communities across British Columbia who have joined in a coordinated, regional effort to help protect homes, properties, and communities facing the threat of wildfire.

👩‍🚒Thank you to Dave and Nikita, and to the many wildfire personnel, first responders, and support teams working around the clock on the front lines. Please join us in wishing them a safe and successful assignment and a safe trip home!

Update from BC Wildfire Service:

The Town of Golden and the Golden and Area Emergency Program are aware of two wildfires in Area A that are currently marked as Out of Control and Being Held. According to BC Wildfire Service (BCWS), at this time there is no threat to public safety or structures.

Please see the post below for the most up-to-date information.

Your first and best source of information regarding wildfires in the Golden area and across the province, visit www.bcwildfire.ca or download the BC Wildfire Service app. For specific questions regarding BC Wildfire operations, contact the BC Wildfire public information line at 1-888-336-7378.

Wildfire Service The BC Wildfire Service employs approximately 1,600 seasonal personnel each year, including firefighters, dispatchers and other seasonal positions.

‼️Effective at 1 p.m. MST, Thursday, July 23, 2026, Category 1 campfires will be prohibited throughout the Southeast Fire Centre to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety. This includes the Town of Golden and CSRD Area A. This campfire prohibition will remain in effect until 1 p.m. MST on October 31, 2026, or until the order is rescinded.

🔥A Category 1 campfire means a fire that is:
• No larger than 0.5 metres in height and 0.5 metres in width.
• Used for recreational purposes or by a First Nation for ceremonial purposes.

👉Also prohibited is the use of:
• Air curtain burners
• Carbonizers
• Fireworks as defined in the Fireworks Act of BC
• Binary exploding targets
• Burn barrels or burn cages or any size or description
• Controlled air incinerators
• Sky lanterns
• Wood fired hot tubs, wood fired pizza ovens, and other wood fired devices unless vented through a structure that has a flue and is incorporated in a building.

🔥A reminder that Category 2 open fires have been prohibited since July 10, 2026, and Category 3 open fires have been prohibited since May 21, 2026.

👉Anyone found in contravention of an open fire prohibition may be issued a ticket for $1,150, required to pay an administrative penalty of $10,000 or, if convicted in court, fined up to $100,000 and/or sentenced to one year in jail. If the contravention causes or contributes to a wildfire, the person responsible may be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs.

👉Learn more here: https://blog.gov.bc.ca/bcwildfire/category-1-campfire-to-be-prohibited-in-the-southeast-fire-centre/

🧑‍🚒It’s Friday!

🧑‍🚒Wildfire season is here and being prepared for emergencies can help protect your home, property, and loved ones.

🏡Did you know, decks can be one of the most vulnerable parts of your home when it comes to wildfire?

🏡Whether you’re building new or doing maintenance, using tips and guides can help ensure your deck is wildfire-resilient! Paying attention to furnishing, materials and placement can all help to protect your home.

👉Visit the BC website to learn more at https://firesmartbc.ca/.../wildfire-resilient-decks-guide/

🧑‍🚒For further information, questions or to learn more about how to get a FireSmart Assessment for your home and property, reach out Golden’s FireSmart Coordinator, Michelangelo Mingarelli, at [email protected] or 250-344-1337.

‼️Effective at 1 p.m. MST on Friday, July 10, Category 2 open fire and associated equipment and activities will be prohibited across the Southeast Fire Centre, including the Town of Golden. This prohibition will remain in place until 1 p.m. MST on Oct. 31, 2026, or until the public is otherwise notified. This prohibition is being enacted to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety.

👇A Category 2 open fire means an open fire that burns:
🔥Material in one pile not exceeding 2 metres in height and 3 metres in width.
🔥Material concurrently in two piles, each not exceeding 2 metres in height and 3 metres in width.
🔥Stubble or grass over an area that does not exceed 0.2 hectare.

👇Category 2 open fire prohibition also includes the following equipment and activities:
🎆Fireworks
🧨Binary exploding targets
🔥Burn Barrels or Burn Cages of any size or description
🔥Controlled air incinerators

👉For full details, visit: https://blog.gov.bc.ca/bcwildfire/category-2-open-fire-to-be-prohibited-in-the-southeast-fire-centre-2/

‼️A reminder that Category 3 open fires have been prohibited in the Southeast Fire Centre since May 21, 2026. More information can be found here: https://blog.gov.bc.ca/bcwildfire/category-3-open-fire-to-be-prohibited-in-the-southeast-fire-centre-2/

👉While this prohibition does not include Category 1 campfires, it is important to continue exercising caution when doing burning of any kind. To learn more about open fire and safer burning visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/wildfire-status/prevention/fire-bans-and-restrictions

🧑‍🚒It’s FireSmart Friday!

🏡Taking action to FireSmart your property will dramatically decrease the risk of wildfire damaging your home. Here are some tips 👇

🪵Move your firewood 10-30 meters away from your house.
🍂Clean leaves and pine needles off your roof and gutters.
🏡Keep grass cut to less than 10 cm

Learn more and access the FireSmart BC home guide here: https://begins-at-home-guide.firesmartbc.ca/

🧑‍🚒Golden’s FireSmart Coordinator, Michelangelo Mingarelli can help you to learn more about how to protect your property! Reach out anytime at [email protected] or 250-344-1337. Learn more at www.golden.ca/firesmart

🎆Did you know that you can only sell, give, possess or set off fireworks between October 24 and November 1 each year with a permit? Here are some things to remember about selling and setting off fireworks in Golden:👇

🧑‍🚒To sell or set off fireworks, you MUST obtain written permission from the Golden Fire Rescue's Fire Prevention Division. For an application for permission, email [email protected]
🧑‍🚒Fireworks can only be set off on private property, with consent of the owner, or on public property with the written permission of the Golden Fire Rescue.
🎆Fireworks must be set off before 9 p.m. to abide by the Noise Bylaw. Please keep in mind that noise from fireworks causes a great amount of fear, stress and anxiety in both wild and domestic animals and disturbs neighbours.
🧑‍🚒To set off fireworks legally at any other time of the year, you must obtain a permit from Golden Fire Rescue. Unlawful use of fireworks in the community can result in fines up to $1,000.

👉To learn more about Town of Golden bylaws, including the Fireworks and Noise bylaws, visit golden.ca/bylaw

🧑‍🚒It's Friday!

🧑‍🚒Golden's Coordinator, Michelangelo Mingarelli, reminds residents that being prepared for emergencies can help protect your home, property, and loved ones.

👉FireSmart BC has many great resources to help you stay safe, including an Emergency Wildfire Preparedness Checklist that is available to download.

👉Visit firesmartbc.ca and preparedbc.ca for more information!

🧑‍🚒It's Friday! As we get into the warmer and drier summer season, we can all do our part to stay safe and prevent wildfires.

Reporting a wildfire or unattended campfire:
👉To report a wildfire or unattended campfire outside of the Town of Golden boundary (this includes areas like “the flats” near Bush Party): use the BC Wildfire Service app, call 1-800-633-555 toll-free or *5555 on a cell phone. Reporting through the app helps get the right crews the location and details they need quickly.
👉To report fires or campfires within Golden, dial 9-1-1

🧑‍🚒Golden B.C. Fire-Rescue also reminds residents to follow these safer burning tips for campfires:
🔥Keep your campfire to a size no larger than 0.5 metres high by 0.5 metres wide.
🔥Use a rock ring, fire pit or other non-flammable barrier around the fire to prevent it from spreading.
💦Keep a bucket of at least eight litres of water close by the fire at all times, and/or a hand tool (such as a shovel) to extinguish the fire properly.
🍂Remove all leaves, twigs and other flammable material from the area around where you plan to light your campfire.
💨Never have a campfire when it's windy.
🔥Never leave your campfire unattended for any amount of time.
💦When you are ready to put your fire out, pour lots of water on it, stir the ashes, then pour more water on it. Continue doing so until the ashes are cool to the touch.