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🔥 CAMPFIRE BAN LIFTED IN METCHOSIN 🔥
Effective Friday May 15, 2026 at Noon, the campfire prohibition within the District of Metchosin will be lifted.
While conditions have improved, the wildfire risk remains present and residents are reminded to use extreme caution with any open burning activities. Even a small campfire can quickly spread if not properly managed.
✅ Campfire Safety Precautions:
• Keep campfires small and controlled
• Never leave a fire unattended
• Have a shovel, hose, or water source immediately available
• Clear combustible material at least 3 metres away from the fire
• Fully extinguish fires until cold to the touch before leaving
• Avoid burning during windy or dry conditions
• Ensure fires comply with all local bylaws and provincial regulations
⚠️ Ongoing Risks:
• Dry grass, brush, and forest fuels can still ignite easily
• Wind conditions can rapidly change fire behaviour
• Escaped campfires remain one of the leading causes of human-caused wildfires
• Smoke and embers can travel significant distances
🚫 Category 2 and Category 3 open burning prohibitions remain in effect unless otherwise announced.
If you see an unsafe fire or a fire that is out of control, call 9-1-1 immediately.
We appreciate the community’s cooperation in helping keep Metchosin safe this wildfire season.
The Metchosin Fire Department
The District of Metchosin encompasses 17,396 acres of varying terrain and over 2,000 acres of foreshore. This rural community is home to 6,000 residents, four schools, a Federal prison, three military bases, several fuel marinas, and a First Nations Reserve.
The Metchosin Fire Department consists of 1 fire station and 38 volunteer firefighters. Our Firehall is situated in the Village core and is the hub of many community events. Two full-time firefighting personnel are staffed by the District and respond to emergencies during normal business hours Monday to Friday.
The Fire Department responds to approximately 700 calls per year, which include various public assists, fires, motor vehicle accidents and medical emergencies. Apparatus include 3 engines, 1 tanker, 1 rescue, 1 duty vehicles for transporting personnel and additional equipment and an all terrain vehicle for remote rescues.
All fire calls are dispatched through the Saanich Fire Dispatch Centre. All volunteers are required to carry pagers, supplied to them by the Fire Department, for notification purposes. When an emergency arises, volunteers are to respond directly to the fire station for response.
All volunteers share in the responsibility for the maintenance of apparatus and equipment. Volunteers are responsible to assist with cleaning of apparatus and equipment after an emergency incident and training sessions.
Under the direction of the Fire Chief and Training Officers, all firefighters are required to participate in the training program which incorporates and emphasizes safety and education. Additionally all active members of the Fire Department, are also required to assist and participate in various community activities and public education events throughout the year.
