Fire Department

Burning Permits

A valid Burning Permit is required for open burning on eligible properties.

Open burning is now CLOSED and when it opens again in the fall permits will be available from Municipal Hall or Fire Station 71. Submit your burning application in person with all requested information and payment. Applications are accepted:

when Open Burning is permitted (October to March),
in person at Municipal Hall (10150 Bottom Wood Lake Rd); or
in person (cash only) at Lake Country Fire Administration (11063 Okanagan Centre Road East).

Phone the Open Burning Hotline at 1-855-262-2876 to check if burning is allowed the day you want to burn.

Learn more about provincial air quality regulations. Any property owners that are eligible for a Lake Country Burning Permit must also comply with the provincial regulations that specify setbacks to neighbouring homes, businesses, schools and care facilities, among other details relative to open burning.

Learn more about alternatives to burning in order to dispose of Wood Waste. Make sure to have the written permission of the property owner when applying for a Burning Permit.

Regardless of whether a registered property is owned, rented, or leased, it is important that the property owner consents to open burning occurring on their property. Beginning in October 2023, a letter from the property owner to the District of Lake Country is required for each DLC Open Burning Permit that a renter or lessee applies for. This letter should include the following:

Name, contact information, and address of registered property owner
Address of property where open burning will occur
Name, contact information, and address of renter / lessee
Confirmation that the owner authorizes their renter / lessee to conduct open burning on the specified property
Acknowledgement of provincial open burning regulations
The signature of the registered owner

Airplane dropping water over a wildfire near homes and trees, with thick smoke rising into the sky.

Airplane dropping red fire retardant over a wildfire in a forested area, with dense smoke billowing up.

Distant view of a wildfire on a hillside near a lake, with thick smoke and visible flames.

Firefighters working along a road with fire trucks and equipment, battling a wildfire with smoke and flames visible in the background.

Wildfire spreading through a forest, with thick smoke and visible flames engulfing trees and vegetation.

Police vehicle with flashing lights monitoring a wildfire by the roadside, with flames and smoke rising from the forest.

Firefighter showing a fire truck's equipment to a group of children standing nearby.

Flooded lakeside area with a partially submerged pier, trees in the water, and mountains in the background.

Outdoor deck with round tables covered in white linens and shaded by large red umbrellas, overlooking a grassy field and sports area.

Lake Country Fire Department

The Lake Country Fire Department (LCFD) protects the community by responding to reports of fires, medical emergencies, alarms and motor vehicle incidents. The department is a partner in the Regional District of Central Okanagan mutual aid program and participates in other regional emergency response functions like auto extrication, marine and ice rescue, and rope rescue.

The Lake Country Fire Department consists of 8 full-time staff, 62 paid-on-call firefighters, 6 fire engines, 1 rescue truck, 1 ladder truck, 1 CAFS unit, 2 tender trucks, 1 UTV, 1 ATV, 1 regional rescue boat and 1 fire safety house.

All firefighters and apparatus serve out of three stations:

11063 Okanagan Centre Road EastLake 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.

Lake Country fire station at dusk with four fire trucks parked inside.

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.

Two red fire trucks parked in front of Carr's Landing Fire Hall, Station 81, with a Canadian flag flying nearby and trees in the background.

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.

The exterior of Lake Country Fire Department, a white building with three garage doors and a Canadian flag, set against a backdrop of trees and a partly cloudy sky.

Polaris off-road vehicle labeled "ATV-71" from Lake Country Fire Department, parked on a hill with a scenic view of a lake and mountains.

UTV 71: 2019 Polaris

Red Lake Country Fire Department SUV parked in front of Station 71, a white fire station building with red trim.

Fire Inspector C-75

Red and white Lake Country Fire Department ladder truck labeled L-71 parked in an outdoor area.

Ladder 71: 2011 Smeal built on a Spartan chassis

Red and white Lake Country Fire Department truck labeled E-71 parked outside a station.

Pumper 71: 2013 Hub built on a Freightliner chassis

Red Lake Country Fire Department fire truck labeled R-71 parked in front of a station, surrounded by trees.

Pumper 91: 2004 Rosenbauer built on a Spartan chassis

Lake Country Fire Department rescue vehicle R-71 parked outside the fire station on a sunny day.

Rescue 71: 2018 Fort Garry built on a Freightliner chassis

Red and white Lake Country fire rescue truck parked outside a fire station on a sunny day.

Tender 71: 2021 Fort Garry built on a Freightliner chassis

A bright red fire truck labeled "Lake Country Fire Dept" and "T-71" parked on a gravel surface with grassy areas and trees in the background.

Tender 72: 1998 International

Red Lake Country Fire Department vehicle labeled M-91, parked in an outdoor area.

Mini 81: 2000 Hub built on a Ford F550 chassis

Red and white Lake Country Fire Department truck labeled E-81 parked outdoors.

Engine 81: 2013 Hub built on a Freightliner chassis

Red Lake Country Fire Department fire truck labeled E-81 parked in front of a station, surrounded by trees.

Pumper 81: 1998 Superior built in an International chassis

Lake Country Fire Department's red and white fire truck labeled B-91 parked outdoors on a gravel surface.

Bush 91: 2015 CET built on a Ford F450 chassis

Red and white Lake Country Fire Department truck labeled E-91 parked on a wet road.

Engine 91: 2007 Rosenbauer built on a Freightliner chassis

Red and white Lake Country Fire Rescue truck labeled E-71 parked outside a building.

Engine 71: 2020 Fort Garry built on a Spartan chassis

Rescue boat on a trailer with an orange hull and Lake Country branding, ready for deployment.

Marine Rescue 91: 2014 Kanter Marine

Mobile fire safety house trailer with "Practice Your Escape Plan" and "Get Out Alive!" messages, featuring a wrap showing a house on fire.

Fire Safety House is used for educational purposes

A vintage red fire truck labeled "Winfield Volunteer Fire Department" parked in front of a rustic building, with orange cones marking its space.

1959 Dodge Vintage Engine

The LCFD oversees burning, campfires, fire prevention programs and the recruitment of new paid-on-call firefighters for the District.

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 [PDF/174KB]. 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.

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.

Additional restrictions:

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.

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

Join our family

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.