AI-generated illustration; not a photograph of the reported event.
- calendar_today October 22, 2026
Firefighting Services Suspended in Dease Lake, B.C.
Fire protection services in Dease Lake, a remote community in northwestern British Columbia, have been suspended indefinitely due to a significant reduction in the number of trained volunteer firefighters. The Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine announced that effective immediately, it can no longer safely provide exterior-level firefighting services in the community, which is situated approximately 450 kilometres north of Terrace.
Dwindling Numbers Lead to Suspension
Previously, Dease Lake relied on its local volunteer fire department for firefighting needs. However, the department's volunteer base has now dropped to just two trained members, far below the minimum requirement. According to the regional district, at least 15 trained volunteer firefighters are needed to safely operate the fire department at an exterior level of service.
Lina Gasser, the chief administrative officer of the regional district, explained that the acting fire chief retired earlier in the year, further impacting leadership and capacity. She noted, “Right now, we only had a couple trained members that were able to respond, and with no leadership.” Leadership is a necessary component for compliance with both WorkSafe and the Fire Services Act.
Impact on Residents and Emergency Response
With the fire department suspension, residents of Dease Lake must now contact the RCMP in the event of a house or structure fire. The RCMP’s role would be limited to helping evacuate people, establishing a perimeter, and accounting for residents, but they will not provide actual firefighting services. “If individuals wanted to do something on their own, we can’t stop them from doing that. But, there will be no response from the fire department,” said Gasser.
The regional district is now focused on fire prevention, encouraging residents to clean their chimneys, check their smoke alarms, and keep fire extinguishers on hand. Wildfire response will remain a provincial responsibility.
Recruitment Challenges in Rural Communities
Recruiting volunteer firefighters remains an ongoing challenge in Dease Lake and other rural communities. The population of Dease Lake is about 230, with many residents present for short-term contract work. The nearest fire departments are located in Iskut (84 kilometres away) and Telegraph Creek (110 kilometres away), both of which also face recruitment issues. Distance, travel difficulties, and unavailability further limit mutual support between communities.
Dease Lake previously suspended its fire department in 2022 for similar reasons but was able to recruit and train additional volunteers to resume services after a period of focused outreach and training. The regional district is once again prioritizing recruitment, including posting for a new fire chief, but there is currently no set timeline for the return of fire department services. Gasser expressed hopes that good news could be shared with the community within six months to a year.
Broader Pressures on Volunteer Firefighting
The challenges facing Dease Lake’s fire department are emblematic of broader trends across rural British Columbia. The Volunteer Firefighter’s Association of B.C. notes that recruitment and retention issues continue to affect many smaller departments. Paid on-call firefighters, who receive an hourly wage for their responses, have helped boost numbers in some communities but have not provided a sustainable long-term solution.
According to Bob Graham, executive director of the Volunteer Firefighter’s Association, small communities often have a limited pool of residents for various volunteer roles, creating ongoing recruitment struggles. Additionally, the absence of an active fire department can lead to higher fire and home insurance costs for residents.
Continuing Efforts and Fire Safety Reminders
The regional district remains committed to restoring local firefighting services and is working to attract new volunteer recruits. In the meantime, fire safety measures and community vigilance are encouraged to limit risks and maintain public safety until the fire department can become operational again.
Source: cbc.ca.
