Fernie Fire and Emergency Services

05/21/2026

Looking forward to our collaborative training with Bc wildfire

🔥The City of Fernie and the BC Wildfire Service will be conducting a planned grass burn on May 21 at the wastewater lagoons site on Thompson Road.
The burn area will cover between 1,500 to 2,000 square metres and is being carried out to remove heavy thatched grass that has accumulated in the area, helping to reduce nesting of rodents that are chewing on the pond liners and reduce future fire risk.
🚒City of Fernie Public Works staff and Fernie Fire and Emergency Services firefighters, along with a fire truck, will be onsite throughout the operation to monitor conditions and ensure the burn is conducted safely.
🧑‍🚒Four BC Wildfire Service wildland firefighters from Cranbrook will be assisting with the burn and will also be providing valuable wildfire training and safety exercises for Fernie Fire Rescue members during the operation.
Residents may notice smoke in the area during the operation. The burn will proceed only if weather and site conditions are suitable.

05/12/2026

🧯Local Government Awareness Week Department Showcase: In addition to fire protection and prevention, Fire and Emergency Services is responsible for emergency management planning and educating the community on how we can keep ourselves and our families safe.
🧑‍🚒In 2025, we hired five new auxiliary fire fighters, completed over 5,300 training hours, and expanded our public education and outreach programs.
🎉Just last Saturday, Fernie Fire Rescue and the East Kootenay Emergency Management Program came together to host Family Safety Day, an Emergency Preparedness Fair. The fantastic turnout was an example of how working together strengthens our community.
🚒Drop by Prentice Park from 1–3 pm today to meet some of our amazing fire fighters at the Equipment Showcase.
📅Event details can be found here: https://www.fernie.ca/EN/meta/whats-new/news-archives/2026-archive/local-government-awareness-week-community-events.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawRwIGxleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFDM2Y2NldIZUVPc2MxZFZYc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHm4ZEoNrSxyGEOQ9Ol9-fUe5dzGh0iu8Jl7TaIV2HGWMyY2SWeq8aRhNpUxV_aem_7rYZ1rGs4WAF6XiCv0dYlA

05/01/2026

🚒 The City has reached a key milestone on the Fire Hall Replacement project with the completion of final design and construction contracting requirement for the urgently needed new fire hall.

✅We have a finalized design, a fixed‑price construction contract ready, and a project that is on schedule and within the approved $16 million budget.

🧑‍🚒The purpose‑built fire hall is designed to meet both current and future community needs, with construction costs coming in just over $15 million and sufficient funds retained for contingency and planned ball diamond upgrades at James White Park.

📍The fire hall is planned for 1500 5th Avenue, a portion of Prentice Park. The City is currently awaiting a decision relating to a petition before the Supreme Court of BC regarding the site, which must be resolved before construction can begin. In the meantime, all preparatory work required to advance the project, including coordination with park user groups, has been completed.

👷The construction schedule has been sequenced to allow work to begin during the 2026 building season, with an operational fire hall anticipated in 2027.

Learn more about the project, and next steps: https://letstalk.fernie.ca/firehall

11/26/2025

11/12/2025

Protecting our community since 1904

10/14/2025

08/11/2025

The Elk River's water level is dropping, narrowing its channels and directing flow into several hazardous log jams. The force of the current can easily entrap individuals underwater—regardless of strength or swimming ability.

08/04/2025

08/02/2025

🚒Fire Hall Project Recap and Next Steps:

Last month, at the July 15, 2025 meeting, Council approved the project budget and funding strategy for the urgently needed new Fire Hall.

📍Site Selection
In January of 2024, after extensive pre-planning analysis and public engagement, 1500-5th Ave. (a portion of Prentice Park) was selected as the site for the new fire hall. This site provides a number of advantages including:
-Quick Access to the highway to improve response times.
-Flexible Site Layout and adaptability for growth.
-Space for future co-use opportunities.

🤔What about the ball diamond?
The approved budget includes $100,000 for upgrades to local ball diamonds to offset impacts to Servello Field.
The City has been working with ball user groups to plan upgrades to other fields and consider long-term options for developing more ball diamonds in Fernie.

🧯What's next?
• Apply to the SPF grant before the September 12 deadline.
• Continue to refine the design as we move to a Class B cost estimate.
• Finalize the funding elements and approvals for the required loan.
• Prepare the site for construction and finalize the construction contract.
• Spring 2026, break ground on the new fire hall.
• In 2027, the City of Fernie will have an operational fire hall designed to meet the current and future needs of our community.

Follow along with the Fire Hall Project at letstalk.fernie.ca/FireHall