Fire

The City of Colwood recognizes that air quality impacts the health of the community for residents and our natural environment. The burning regulations below and programs like Branch Drop Off are designed to discourage local burning which can impact air quality.

Open burning is prohibited

The City of Colwood prohibits all open yard fires, beach fires and camp fires as well as land clearing, demolition and construction waste fires. No beach fires are permitted at Esquimalt Lagoon. Read the reasons below, or review Bylaw 931 for full details.

Contained fire appliances are permitted (except when fire rating is HIGH or EXTREME)

The use of charcoal or gas barbecues, portable gas campfires and smokers for the curing of food are permitted.

Chimineas and similar contained patio/outdoor wood burning appliances are permitted for residential use EXCEPT when the fire rating is high or extreme and following safety restrictions are followed:

• Outdoor burning appliances must be specifically manufactured for this purpose – no homemade devices are permitted.
• The fire box size must not exceed 24 inches by 24 inches.
• Outdoor burning appliances must be installed on private property and situated on a fire-safe solid base.
• No outdoor burning appliance shall be mounted or used above or below grade level.
• Outdoor burning appliances must be situated at least 20 feet from any building, fence, property line, trees, bushes or other combustible materials.
• Outdoor burning appliances must be enclosed by metal or mesh to contain the burning materials within the device
• A means of extinguishing the fire must be readily available (i.e. a charged garden hose with spray nozzle).
• Outdoor burning appliances are permitted between dawn and 10:00 pm only.
• There shall be no use of any outdoor burning appliance when the forest fire rating is High or Extreme. This regulation will be strictly enforced.
• Inspection of an outdoor burning appliance shall be at the owners request or upon complaint received by the City.

Why aren't beach fires permitted at the beach in Colwood?

Colwood Fire Department would like to remind residents that beach fires are not permitted in Colwood, for several reasons:

• Smoke from beach fires impacts air quality for the surrounding neighbourhood and can be quite toxic. Some treated driftwood releases dangerous chemicals.
• Many adults, children and pets have been seriously burned by beach fires that have been left burning, or smothered under the sand and not visible.
• A small beach fire left burning can be time consuming to get to and put out, tying up first responders who may be needed elsewhere in the community.
• Many people feel that allowing beach fires would reduce the amount of debris on the beach. But it is important to remember that the driftwood is one of the best natural ways to mitigate coastal erosion.

You can still roast your marshmallows at the beach!

Portable propane, charcoal briquette or natural gas appliances are permitted.

Don’t hesitate to contact the Colwood Fire Station if you have questions or concerns about burning regulations, or if you would like to set up an appointment to have one of our Fire Department Officers come by to provide you with a complimentary safety inspection of your newly installed outdoor burning appliance.

Please note: Overnight parking is not permitted along the Colwood waterfront (1am - 6am).

Fire prevention is everyone’s responsibility.

• Do your home and workplace have working Smoke Detectors?
• Do your home and workplace have a working Fire Extinguisher?
• Do you know your fire escape route?

Fire Prevention Tips

1. Use electricity safely: replace damaged cords and keep appliances in good repair
2. Cook safely: never leave cooking unattended and keep cooking areas clean and tidy
3. Keep matches and lighters out of sight: in the hands of a child, matches and lighters can be deadly. Store them out of children’s reach.
4. Smokers use extra care:  never smoke in bed or leave smoking cigarettes unattended
5. Space heaters need space: keep portable heaters at least 3 feet from anything that can burn and ensure fuel fired space heaters have a good supply of fresh air

Fire Safety Tips

1. Install smoke alarms: every floor of your home and every bedroom should have smoke alarms
2. Install automatic fire sprinklers: extinguish fires in less time than it takes for the fire department to arrive
3. Plan your escape: make an escape plan and hold fire drills so everyone knows what to do
4. Crawl low under smoke: in a fire, stay low. Check doors – if they feel warm, find another route
5. Stop, drop and roll: if your clothing catches fire don’t run ... stop, drop and roll. Cool burns with clean water and call for help.

Most fatal home fires happen at night when people are sleeping.  The smell of smoke may not wake you. A working smoke alarm can save your life.

The best way to protect your family and home from fire is to install, properly maintain, and test household smoke alarms.

Choosing a Smoke Alarm

Be sure that the smoke alarms you buy carry the label of an independent testing laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories of Canada (ULC).  Some smoke alarms run on batteries while others run on household current. Some detect smoke using an “ionization” sensor and others use a “photoelectric” detection system.  All approved smoke alarms, regardless of type, will offer adequate protection provided they are installed and maintained properly.

Ionization Alarms - The ionization alarm contains a radioactive source in a smoke chamber that emits radiation, resulting in a weak flow of electric current.  When particles such as those produced by fire enter the smoke chamber, they produce the current and trigger the alarm.   

Photoelectric Alarms - The photoelectric alarm contains a light source and a special photosensitive cell in a darkened chamber.  The cell and light are positioned within the alarm so that either the light beam is interrupted by the smoke, or the beam is deflected into the cell. Both types of alarms are equally effective in the home.

Where to Install Smoke Alarms

Walls - Because smoke rises, it’s important to mount alarms high on a wall or on the ceiling.  Wall mounted units should be positioned so that the top of the detector is 10 to 30 centimetres (4 to 12 inches) from the ceiling. 

Ceilings - A ceiling-mounted smoke alarm should be attached at least 10 centimetres (4inches) from the nearest wall.  In a room with a pitched ceiling, mount the smoke alarm at or near the ceiling’s highest point.

Stairwells - In stairways with no doors at the top or bottom, position smoke alarms anywhere in the path of smoke moving up the stairs. Always position smoke alarms at the bottom of closed stairways, such as those leading from the basement.  This is because dead air trapped near the door at the top of a stairway could prevent smoke from reaching a detector located at the top.  Don’t install a smoke alarm close to a window, door, or forced-air register where drafts could interfere with the unit’s operation.

False Alarms

Cooking vapours and steam sometimes set off a home smoke alarm. To correct this, try moving the alarm away from the kitchen or bathroom, or install an exhaust fan. Cleaning your alarm regularly, according to the manufacturer’s instructions, may also help.  If nuisance alarms persist, do not disable the unit, replace it.

Maintenance

To maintain your home smoke alarms, follow the manufacturer’s instructions, test all your smoke alarms monthly, and install new batteries at least once a year.  Replace batteries when you set the clocks back in the fall or when a smoke alarm is “chirping”, indicating that the battery is low. 

Clean your smoke alarm using a vacuum cleaner without removing the units cover.  Never paint a smoke alarm.  Remember, smoke alarms don’t last forever.  Replace any smoke alarm that is more than 10 years old.

The risk of a significant wildfire in a west coast urban area like Colwood is low.

While there may be occasional small bush and grass fires, Colwood does not experience the same fuel loading, weather conditions, or fire behaviour that may happen in other parts of the province. For example, the Northern Peace region and the Central Interior experience extended periods of prolonged drought and high temperatures, coupled with vast forested areas and grasslands that severely affect the onset of wild fire conditions. Vancouver Island and more specifically Colwood do not experience these extreme factors as in other parts of the province.

The Colwood Fire department works with the Public Works department to identify and mitigate all potential fire risks using a natural forest approach where tree falls and other debris rot in place to maintain soil moisture and preserve tree health. 

This Home Owners FireSmart Manual may provide useful information to Colwood home owners about general fire risks for properties. (This document was developed in Alberta where the risk of wildfire is much greater due to its large open areas of forest and undeveloped pasture land. It was adopted by BC, mainly for rural areas in the Peace River and Central Interior.)

Fireworks present an extreme safety risk. The City of Colwood prohibits the possession, discharge and sale of fireworks. Anyone wishing to obtain a permit must apply to City Hall and produce a current safety course certificate from a local fireworks safety discharge course or higher pyrotechnical certification. More details can be found in Bylaw 891.

We encourage you to enjoy fireworks events put on by trained personnel, rather than use consumer fireworks. These public events decrease the very real risk of personal injury and property damage that may result from improper use of fireworks.

The dangers of fireworks:

• Fireworks injure 8,000 children in North America each year and 20 of those will die
• The most frequent injuries are burns to the hands and face
• About 120 people will require hand and finger amputations annually
• Permanent blindness occurs in about one-third of eye injuries
• Permanent hearing loss in children is not uncommon
• In one year, about 51,000 fires resulted in $37 million in property damage in North America
• Five to 10 children are admitted to BC Children’s hospital with fireworks injuries each year
• A seemingly harmless sparkler can burn as hot as 982 C and will not extinguish when placed in water
• The World Health Organization has recommended a worldwide ban on fireworks manufacturing
• There are no manufacturing standards in North America
• Many fireworks are manufactured overseas with little or no quality control

Fireworks Safety Recommendations

• Never point or throw fireworks at anyone or anything.
• Never hold fireworks in your hand while lighting them.
• Never attempt to re-light or move fireworks that fail to go off.

Please follow these common sense precautions to reduce the risk of injury or damage from fireworks:

• Only those 18 years of older, with a permit, may possess or discharge fireworks
• Only low hazard fireworks are to be used by the general public.
• Firecrackers and bottle rockets are prohibited throughout Canada by federal regulation.
• Modification of fireworks is prohibited
• Choose a safe outdoor area for discharging fireworks: a bare area of ground away from buildings, overhead obstructions, trees, vehicles, dry grass and other flammables.
• A bucket or wheelbarrow filled with soil or sand makes a good secure base.
• Spectators should watch from a safe distance, at least 20 metres upwind.
• A stick should be used to light fireworks, rather than matches or a lighter.
• Either a garden hose or a large bucket of water or sand should be ready at the site.
• Duds should be left untouched for a minimum of 30 minutes.
• Dispose of spent firework casings in a container of water.
  

Consider joining Colwood’s dedicated team of Paid-On-Call firefighters!

Paid-On-Call firefighters are your neighbours, your co-workers and your friends. They are caring and dedicated individuals who are prepared to come to your aid whenever they are called.

Gain valuable training and experience while serving your community in a big way.

Who can apply?

To be eligible for a Colwood Paid-On-Call Firefighter position, you must:

• be 19 years of age
• have completion of Grade 12 or GED
• be Certified NFPA 1001 Level II Firefighter
• hold a valid BC Class 5 Drivers License and provide an acceptable driver’s abstract
• provide a clear Police Information Check for Vulnerable Sector
• be in good health and physical condition with ability to meet required physical demands
• participate in a minimum of 4 x 12-hour stipend night shifts per month
• submit application form, cover letter, resume and all related firefighting certifications.

Residency in the City of Colwood is not required however preference may be given to those residing within the West shore or a reasonable radius.

How to apply

The application period is currently closed.

For information please contact firedept@colwood.ca or visit the Colwood Fire Hall at 3215 Metchosin Road.

Shortlisted applicants holding an active position with other fire departments must receive consent from that Fire Chief to participate in Colwood’s Paid on Call Firefighter program.

Inquiries into the Paid-on Call Firefighter program or application process can be directed to any Chief Officer at 250-478-8321 or via email at firedept@colwood.ca