Charlie Lake Fire Services Expansion

The Charlie Lake Fire Department (CLFD) is run by the Peace River Regional District. This department has a full-time fire chief and deputy chief and about 30 volunteer firefighters operating out of one fire hall. Full-time staff are at the hall 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday.

The CLFD trains firefighters to the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) 1001 Level 2 Standard. Currently, the department has 20 firefighters trained at that level. The CLFD recruits new firefighters once a year.

Due to the high level of training that the department achieves and maintains, the Department is considered a full-service fire department as defined by the BC Office of the Fire Commissioner. This means that they are trained to conduct both exterior and interior fire suppression and fire rescue services.

Current Level of Service

Structural fire protection: responding to fires impacting homes, farms and businesses

Interface fire protection: responding to fires in the interface between the community and the forest lands. Often local fire departments will work closely with the BC Wildfire service.

Prevention and public education: conducting reviews with businesses in the area to learn about their structures and any hazards that may exist which could impact the strategies employed during a fire response; conducting public education through open houses, classroom visits, etc.

In 2018, Dave Mitchell & Associates were contracted to conduct a review of the areas being considered for expansion. Since that time, staff have conducted additional ‘on the ground’ information gathering, to ensure that the areas can be served by the Charlie Lake Fire Department with the current apparatus and staffing. 175 properties are proposed for expansion and have been reviewed with the Electoral Area B and C Directors. The areas being considered at this time are north and west of the existing Charlie Lake Fire Protection Area in Area C and Area B, specifically the areas of Sawyer Subdivision, Red Creek South, Bear Flats, and South Montney.

Building Inspection

If the fire protection area expands to Area B, the Electoral Area Director will recommend to the Regional Board to expand the mandatory building inspection area to match this increased fire protection boundary. If you plan to build in Area B, a building permit may be required depending on the size of your project and what is being built (farm buildings are exempt). Not all new buildings or renovations will require a permit; therefore, if the fire protection and building inspection areas are expanded, it is important to check with the PRRD to determine if a permit is required when you plan to build. Existing buildings do not require a permit if they are not undergoing any alterations.

Fire Protection

If the fire protection expands to your area, the services that will be included are:

• structural fire protection - responding to fires impacting homes, farms and businesses;
• interface fire protection - responding to fires in the interface between the community and the forest lands. Often local fire departments will work closely with the BC Wildfire service
• fire prevention and public education: conducting reviews with businesses in the area to learn about their structures and any hazards that may exist which could impact the strategies employed during a fire response and conducting public education through open houses, classroom visits, etc.

Charlie Lake Fire Rescue Fleet

Engine 1
2020 Spartan / Hub, 1000 gal water tank and 1250GPM Pump

Engine 2
2006 Sterling Hub, 2000 gal water tank and 1050 GPM Pump 

Tender 1
2012 Rosenbauer with 1500 gal water tank

Tender 2
2020 Freightliner / Fort Garry with 1500 gal water tank and 1050GPM Pump

Tender 3
1996 International with 1500 gal water tank

Brush Truck

UTV in Trailer

Rescue 1
2004 Ford F550

Squad 1

Squad 3