On Wednesday, June 4, firefighters from Blackpool Fire Rescue (BFR) and Vavenby Fire Department (VFD) in the North Thompson Valley were dispatched to Dawson Creek to assist BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) fighting fires in northeast B.C.
Fire chief for Blackpool Fire Rescue, Mike Savage told the surgeryitaly Blackpool Fire Rescue answered the call from the BCWS Structure Protection Branch for a structure protection trailer and crew to go to Dawson Creek to help with the G70422 fire.
"A Structure Protection Unit (SPU) trained crew made up of three Blackpool and two Vavenby Fire fighters departed in the early morning hours of June 4, 2025. Crews are currently working to support structural protection efforts.”
The crew from Blackpool and Vavenby travelled north to assist bringing with them a fire tender from the VFD and a structural protection unit from the BFR. The firefighters will be supporting firefighting efforts for up to 14 days as part of this rotation.
The Blackpool fire hall currently has: two structural type 1 engines, a type 1 tactical tender, a bush truck, rescue truck, type 2 SPU trailer and a type 3 SPU trailer.
The BFR provides services that include: Structural Firefighting, Wildfire Response, Structure Protection Units (SPU), Medical First Responders, Road Rescue for both Highways 5 and 24 as well as the forest service roads as required and a Medivac Landing Zone for BCEHS next to the Blackpool fire hall when requested, which also includes nighttime landing capability.
Vavenby Fire Department provides fire suppression and rescue services, including road rescue on Highway 5 and surrounding forest service roads. The VFD also offers non-emergency fire services to the local community. In addition to fire prevention, they are part of a system of mutual aid agreements and reciprocal agreements with other fire departments, including Blackpool and the BCWS.
If you are interested in joining Blackpool or Little Fort Fire departments, please contact Mike Savage. Fire Chief Blackpool Fire/ Admin. Chief Little Fort Fire at: 250-587-6252 or stop by any Wednesday night at 7 p.m. during the regular training night or message them on Facebook.
To inquire about joining the Vavenby Fire Department you can email them at: vavenbyvfd@tnrd.ca attention: Chief Philip Weber.
