Fire Department

Station 71 Winfield

11063 Okanagan Centre Road East
Lake Country, BC V4V 1H3

The new Station 71 and Fire Administration building includes the offices of the Fire Chief, the Deputy Fire Chief, the Emergency Services Clerk, Fire Inspectors and Maintenance Officers. The fire equipment and personnel moved over to the new station at 11063 Okanagan Centre Road East at the end of December 2021. 

In 1956, 10 residents formed the Winfield Volunteer Fire Brigade. A siren was installed on the roof of Al's Cafe and residents were asked not to call the cafe if the siren sounded as the phone line needed to be free to call the volunteers. The only equipment was shovels and garden hoses carried in the trunks of the volunteers' cars.

The fire district was incorporated in 1959 and money to buy a fire truck and property and funds to build a fire hall was received from the province. The Winfield Volunteer Fire Department was born!

By 1974 the department had responded to 44 alarms. In 1983 the number grew to 107; in 2003 there were 560 and 888 in 2009.

In 1995, when the District of Lake Country incorporated, the Winfield Fire Protection District was dissolved and the Winfield Volunteer Fire Department became a part of the Lake Country Fire Department with Station 71 and Fire Administration located at 10591 Okanagan Centre Road East. 

Station 81 Carr's Landing

16625 Commonage Road

The new residents of Coral Beach established the first unofficial fire department in the Carr's Landing area. Volunteers pulled second-hand hose from a trailer that carried a gas-powered water pump and built a fire hall garage on Coral Beach Road. In 1982 the community of Carr's Landing formed a steering committee to develop a fire protection area. By 1984, a temporary fire shed was built using volunteer labour and a used 1958 pumper truck was purchased from the Westbank Volunteer Fire Brigade. The Carr's Landing Fire Department was now officially a part of the Central Okanagan Regional District Fire Protection Area. In August 1984 the Coral Beach Fire Department amalgamated with Carr's Landing Brigade.

As the brigade grew, it became obvious that facilities for training and to house equipment were simply inadequate. A new fire hall was built 1987.

In 1995, when the District of Lake Country incorporated, the Carr's Landing Volunteer Fire Department became a part of the Lake Country Fire Department.

 Station 91 Oyama

 15656 Oyama Road

The Oyama Volunteer Fire Department is the oldest of our three departments. The first fire hall was built in 1958. An British WWII air-raid siren was installed on the roof of the packing house and the first fire truck was purchased from the Rutland Fire Department. 

A new fire hall was soon needed to fit the expanding needs of the Oyama Fire Protection District, so in 1970 the volunteers moved into the old United Church, which was further expanded in 1988 with the help of a BC Lotteries grant and many volunteer hours. 

When the District of Lake Country incorporated in 1995, the Oyama Volunteer Fire Department became part of the Lake Country Fire Department.

Apparatus

UTV 71: 2019 Polaris

 Fire Inspector C-75

 Ladder 71: 2011 Smeal built on a Spartan chassis

 Pumper 71: 2013 Hub built on a Freightliner chassis

 Pumper 91: 2004 Rosenbauer built on a Spartan chassis

 Rescue 71: 2018 Fort Garry built on a Freightliner chassis

Tender 71: 2021 Fort Garry built on a Freightliner chassis

 Tender 72: 1998 International

 Mini 81: 2000 Hub built on a Ford F550 chassis

Engine 81: 2013 Hub built on a Freightliner chassis

Pumper 81: 1998 Superior built in an International chassis

 Bush 91: 2015 CET built on a Ford F450 chassis

Engine 91: 2007 Rosenbauer built on a Freightliner chassis

 Engine 71: 2020 Fort Garry built on a Spartan chassis

Marine Rescue 91: 2014 Kanter Marine

Fire Safety House is used for educational purposes

1959 Dodge Vintage Engine

Burning Regulations

Only residents that have properties 1 hectare (2.5 acres) or more in size may apply for an open burning permit. Permits are available at the Municipal Hall or the Fire Administration building at Station 71 - 10575 Okanagan Centre Road East.

Open burning is only allowed in line with Burning Bylaw 612, 2007. Burning periods are generally from January 1 - April 30 and October 1 - December 31, however they may be delayed in opening dependent on the weather and fire hazard rating.

Campfires

A campfire is a fire used to cook and/or provide heat and light when camping or in backyards and is only permitted on private property.

• They are only allowed when there isn't a Ministry of  Forests ban in place which usually occurs during a high  or  extreme fire hazard rating:

  Low

  Fires may start easily and spread quickly but there will be minimal involvement of deeper fuel layers or larger fuels.

  Moderate

  Forest fuels are drying and there is an increased risk of surface fires starting. Carry out any forest activities with caution.

  High

  Forest fuels are very dry and the fire risk is serious. New fires may start easily, burn vigorously and challenge fire suppression efforts. Extreme caution must be used in any forest activities. Open burning and industrial activities may be restricted.

  Extreme

  Extremely dry forest fuels and the fire risk is very serious. New fires will start easily, spread rapidly and challenge fire suppression efforts. General forest activities may be restricted, including open burning, industrial activities and campfires.

• You must have permission from the property owner
• Only well seasoned campfire style wood may be burned
• The fire can be no larger than 1 metre in diameter and height
• The fire must be supervised at all times
• Equipment to put the fire out must be available to prevent it from getting out of control.
• The fire must be a minimum of 3 metres from any combustible material.

Recruitment

Do you like to help others, enjoy working as part of a team, want to learn new skills and are you physically fit? We want to hear from you during recruitment season!  Watch this page along with District of Lake Country social media channels to learn when applications open (typically in July/August). 

In order to be considered, you must:

• currently live in Lake Country
• be in good health and physical condition
• be 19 years old or older
• have a valid BC Driver's License with a good driving record
• successfully complete a criminal record check by the RCMP
• be able to attend weekly practices

Safety, Awareness and Fire Education

The SAFE Program was developed in Lake Country by the Public Education Division of the Lake Country Fire Department with the aim of protecting families in the event they experience a residential structure fire.  It is a 4-hour program instructed over a period of 2 weeks in grade 3 classrooms with the emphasis on home escape planning.

The Fire Safety Trailer below was specially designed to facilitate this training.

Department Statistics

View the 2020 Annual Report for fire department statistics for the year.

Tours

If you would like to arrange for your group to come for a tour of the fire hall, please call 250-766-2327 to set up a date and time.