Merritt Fire Rescue Department

Crew Swap Day – Bald Range Wildfire, Summerland

Today marks crew swap day on the Bald Range Wildfire near Summerland. A fresh crew is stepping in while those who have been putting in the long hours head home for some well-earned rest.

Our thoughts are with the people of Summerland and the surrounding communities who have been impacted by the wildfire and continue to face uncertainty during this difficult time.

A big thank you to everyone working on the fireline and behind the scenes. Stay safe out there!

Fire Chief Orders Area Closures
This is a proactive public-safety measure intended to reduce the risk of fire starts in forested areas around Merritt during hazardous conditions. By temporarily limiting access to these areas, we reduce human activity and therefore reduce opportunities for an accidental ignition that could develop into a wildfire and threaten people, property and the community.

Tender 1 & Crew Redeployed to Summerland Area

For the past 24 days, Tender 1 has been deployed to the Big Bar Wildfire Complex in the Cariboo, with our firefighters working alongside crews from communities across British Columbia to help protect homes and communities.

This has been a team effort from home as well. Our first crew deployed for the initial 14 days before being relieved by the current crew, allowing Tender 1 to remain in service at the wildfire complex while our members rotated through the assignment.

Today, Tender 1 and crew made a brief stop — just long enough to re-supply before heading out again.

They have now been redeployed with their Task Force to the Summerland area, where they will assist with what appears to be another challenging and evolving wildfire situation.

Deployments like this demonstrate the strength of cooperation between fire departments and communities throughout our province, all coordinated through the BC Wildfire Service. Our firefighters aren't just representing our department — they are part of a much larger network of municipal firefighters who step forward when communities across B.C. need additional resources.

And that support works both ways.

If our community is challenged by wildfire in the future, we can expect that same coordination and support through the BC Wildfire Service Structure Protection Program — with firefighters and resources from communities across British Columbia coming to our aid and working alongside Merritt Firefighters to protect homes and our community.

It is one of the strengths of the fire service in British Columbia: when one community needs help, others answer the call.

To Tender 1 and crew, their Task Force, and all those responding in the Summerland area — stay safe, look out for one another, and know that your efforts are appreciated back home.

Our thoughts are also with the residents and communities affected by this wildfire.

A quick re-supply, and back on the road. Stay safe, Tender 1 and crew.

Merritt Fire Rescue Deploys to Support Bowers Lake Wildfire

Early this morning, Tender 1, staffed with two firefighters, deployed to the Bowers Lake Wildfire in the Cariboo to assist with the provincial wildfire response.

Our members will be working alongside firefighters from across British Columbia, providing structural protection and supporting efforts to protect communities and critical infrastructure threatened by wildfire.

Merritt Fire Rescue continues to maintain full emergency response capability for the City of Merritt.

Please join us in wishing our firefighters safe travels and a safe deployment. We look forward to welcoming them home after a successful assignment.

💙 Thank you to all firefighters working tirelessly to protect British Columbians during this wildfire season.

Great job to Merrittonians taking part in the FireSmart Chipping Program!

Cedar hedges and other conifers planted too close to homes can become a serious wildfire hazard. Wind-driven embers can travel kilometers ahead of a wildfire and ignite dry vegetation near your home.

Reduce your risk and sign up, cut your unwanted conifers, place them curbside, and we'll chip and haul them away free of charge.

Looking for a replacement? FireSmart friendly options like Parkland Pillar Birch thrive in Merritt's climate once established.

For more information on all Merritt's FireSmart Programs, and how to sign up for the chipping service, email [email protected]

Exterior Wildfire Sprinkler Systems

What Are They?

Exterior wildfire sprinkler systems are designed to wet your home's roof, exterior walls, decks, and the area immediately surrounding the structure. Their primary purpose is to reduce the potential for ignition from wind-driven embers and to increase localized humidity around the home.
Exterior sprinkler systems are intended to supplement FireSmart practices-they are not a substitute for them.
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Before Installing a System

Before investing in an exterior sprinkler system:
• FireSmart your property first.
• Maintain a 0-1.5 m (0-5 ft) non-combustible zone around your home.
• Remove combustible debris from roofs, gutters, decks, patios, and around the foundation.
• Ensure the sprinkler system provides adequate coverage of the roof, eaves, exterior walls, decks, and other vulnerable areas.
• Test and maintain the system annually before wildfire season.
• Familiarize yourself with the operation of the system before an emergency occurs.
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When Should It Be Used?

Exterior sprinkler systems should generally be activated only when you are evacuating under an Evacuation Order or when directed by emergency officials.

Once the system is activated:
• Leave the property immediately.
• Do not remain behind to defend your home.
• Do not return until emergency officials advise it is safe to do so.
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Municipal Water Supply

Homeowner sprinkler systems draw water from the same municipal water system used by firefighters.

Please keep the following in mind:
• Do not operate sprinklers unnecessarily before your property is at risk.
• Running sprinklers for extended periods can reduce water pressure throughout the municipal distribution system.
• During a wildfire, maintaining adequate water supply for fire suppression is critical to protecting the community.
• Use your sprinkler system responsibly and only when there is a genuine threat to your property.
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Limitations

Exterior sprinkler systems have limitations and may be less effective when:
• Strong winds prevent water from reaching the structure.
• Electrical power is interrupted.
• Water pressure is reduced due to high system demand.
• The system has not been properly maintained or tested.
• Combustible vegetation or materials remain close to the home.
• Wildfire intensity exceeds the system's ability to keep surfaces wet.
No exterior sprinkler system can guarantee that a home will survive a wildfire.
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Fire Department Considerations

The Merritt Fire Rescue Department:
• Cannot activate private sprinkler systems.
• Cannot monitor, maintain, or repair homeowner-installed systems.
• Cannot guarantee municipal water pressure or water availability during a wildfire.
• Will prioritize life safety, firefighter safety, and community protection based on incident conditions.
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Remember

The best protection against wildfire starts long before smoke is in the air.

✔ FireSmart your property.
✔ Maintain a non-combustible zone around your home.
✔ Remove combustible materials from roofs, gutters, decks, and around the foundation.
✔ Prepare your emergency plan and be ready to evacuate.
✔ Activate your sprinkler system only when evacuating or as directed by emergency officials.

A FireSmart home, combined with a properly installed and appropriately operated exterior sprinkler system, has a greater likelihood of surviving a wildfire than a home relying on sprinklers alone.
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Disclaimer

This information is provided as general guidance by the Merritt Fire Rescue Department to assist homeowners in preparing for wildfire. Homeowners are responsible for ensuring any exterior sprinkler system is properly designed, installed, maintained, and operated in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations and all applicable codes and regulations.

The Merritt Fire Rescue Department does not endorse or certify any specific sprinkler system, product, or installer, and cannot guarantee the performance or effectiveness of any exterior sprinkler system during a wildfire. The decision to activate a sprinkler system rests solely with the homeowner, and occupants should never delay evacuation or remain on the property to operate or monitor the system. Firefighter actions during a wildfire will be based on incident conditions, available resources, and operational priorities.

Category 1 Campfire Prohibition
Effective at 12:00 noon Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) on Friday July 10, 2026 Category 1 campfires will be prohibited throughout the Kamloops Fire Centre including small confined fire (campfire) permits within the City of Merritt to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety. This campfire prohibition will remain in effect until October 9, 2026 at 12:00 noon PDT, or until the orders are rescinded. See less

Category 1 Campfire Prohibition
Effective at 12:00 noon Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) on Friday July 10, 2026 Category 1 campfires will be prohibited throughout the Kamloops Fire Centre icluding MERRITT to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety. This campfire prohibition will remain in effect until October 9, 2026 at 12:00 noon PDT, or until the orders are rescinded.

🐐 Goats on the Job! Wildfire Mitigation Underway in Merritt 🌿🔥

The City of Merritt – Municipal Government and the Merritt Fire Rescue Department is excited to welcome a hardworking team from BC Timber Goats beginning Monday, July 6.

Over the next two weeks, approximately 80 goats will be busy reducing wildfire fuels by grazing on grasses, leaves, shrubs, and other vegetation at the north end of Pine Street in Collettville. This work is taking place within an approved fuel management treatment area and is an environmentally friendly way to reduce wildfire risk while improving community resilience.

This project is fully funded through the Province of British Columbia's Community Resiliency Investment (CRI) Program.

If you're in the area, please enjoy watching the goats from a safe distance and remember:
🐐 Do not feed or approach the goats.
🐕 Keep dogs on a leash and under control.
🚧 Please respect any fencing or signage around the work area.

To learn more about BC Timber Goats and their innovative approach to vegetation management, visit https://bctimbergoat.ca/.

For additional information about this project, please contact the Merritt Fire Rescue Department.

Wind-blown embers can travel kilometers ahead of a wildfire and ignite vegetation around your home. This is one of the leading causes of home ignition during wildfires.

The City of Merritt's FREE Chipping Program will chip and haul away your eligible vegetation at no cost, helping you create a more wildfire-resilient property. For more information visit https://www.merritt.ca/chipping/

THANK YOU, NICOLA VALLEY HEALTHCARE AUXILIARY

The Merritt Fire Rescue Department extends its sincere gratitude to the Nicola Valley Health Care Auxiliary for their generous donation of $7,500 toward the purchase of medical equipment required to support the Emergency Medical Assistant Licensing Board's mandatory scope of practice updates.

The Auxiliary has been a valued supporter of our department for many years, including helping fund our AED program, which ensures our firefighters have access to critical life-saving equipment when responding to sudden cardiac arrests in our community.

This latest contribution will help us acquire the equipment needed to meet new medical response requirements, allowing our firefighters to provide care within their expanded scope of practice on only the highest-acuity medical calls.

We are grateful for the Auxiliary's ongoing commitment to the health, safety, and well-being of the residents of Merritt and the Nicola Valley. Their continued support helps ensure our members are equipped to serve our community when it matters most.

Thank you, Nicola Valley Health Care Auxiliary, for making a difference.

Members of the MFRD pictured with Grace Robertson, President, Nicola Valley Health Care Auxiliary.