Fire Services

Fire Restrictions & Hazards

May 29, 2019: As per section 10(2) of the Fire Protection Bylaw, Category 2 Open Burning is banned, consistent with the BC Wildfire Service, effective at noon on Thursday, May 30, 2019. This ban will remain in place until further notice to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety. 

This ban does NOT include campfires that are smaller than a half-metre high by a half-metre wide, or apply to cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes. Anyone lighting a campfire must maintain a fireguard by removing flammable debris from around the campfire area and have a hand tool or at least eight litres of water available nearby to properly extinguish the fire. Anyone lighting a campfire must ensure it is completely extinguished before leaving the area.

This helpful poster explains the difference between campfires, Category 2, and Category 3 fires. 

Backyard Burning and Fire Pits

For Burning and Air Quality information, including Recreational Fire Regulations and links to the BC venting index, please visit our Air Quality page. Download the Backyard Burning brochure [PDF - 269 KB].

North Cowichan Fire Department

Fire protection in North Cowichan is provided by a trained and dedicated team of on-call paid firefighters. There are four fire halls throughout North Cowichan, namely: Chemainus, Crofton, Maple Bay, and South End. Each hall has its own Chief, Deputy Chief, Captains, Lieutenants, Secretary, Treasurer, and regular firefighters, all of whom are members of the North Cowichan Fire Department.

Would you like more information about becoming a firefighter?

North Cowichan has four paid-on-call fire halls: Chemainus, Crofton, Maple Bay and South End. Each hall does its own hiring, with the Human Resources Department assisting with the application process.

Paid-on-call firefighters are paid for attending practices, call-outs and duty weekends. Practices are held once a week and usually last a few hours. On duty weekends, which happen once every four weeks, you are expected to remain in the area and in a condition fit for work. You are also required to spend a half day at the hall cleaning and maintaining equipment as part of your duty weekend.

If you are interested in joining the North Cowichan Fire Department, you are required to meet with the Chief of your local hall first to find out more about the commitment required and to have your questions answered. 

Fire Halls

Fire Department Contact & Media Inquiries: 
Martin Drakeley, Manager, Fire and Bylaw Services
Cell: 250.510.0793
Office: 250.746.3266
Email: martin.drakeley@northcowichan.ca 

Fire Hall

Address

Non-Emergency
Phone Number
Chemainus

9901 Chemainus Road,
Chemainus, V0R 1K0

 250.246.3121
Crofton 1681 Robert Street,
Crofton, V0R 1R0		 250.246.3650
Maple Bay

1230 Maple Bay Road,

Duncan, V9L 5S1

 250.748.8654
South End

5851 Duncan Street,

Duncan, V9L 3W7

 250.746.4911

More Information

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