Watch Lake-North Green Lake Volunteer Fire Department

12/31/2024

Happy New Year friends and neighbours!

Although most people have already paid their fire protection dues, this is just a gentle reminder that tomorrow is the last day for the early bird discount. On January 2nd, the dues will be $30 more for a residential property.

Wishing everyone a safe, healthy and happy 2025!

A HUGE thank you to those who have already paid - the support is greatly appreciated! When people pay early, it's easier to put together the yearly budget for training, equipment, replacements/repairs and save a bit of room for unexpected expenses.

If you still need to pay, you can drop a cheque in the mail or pay online at our website:

New! Links to “BC Wildfire Service” and “Fire Smoke Canada” websites have been added to “Addditional Information” below. Also, see more recent films on the impact of wildfires across Canada. Click on the “Videos” tab on the above Menu.

12/23/2024

From: Ed Fornelli, Assistant Fire Chief

TO: ALL OF OUR FRIENDS WITH WLNGLVFD
WISHING YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES


A MERRY CHRISTMAS
and
A HAPPY, HEALTHY, PROSPERIOUS
NEW YEAR

12/20/2024

Firefighter RICHARD HOGG, passed on December 12, 2024, while still serving with the Watch Lake-North Green Lake Volunteer Fire Department. Richard retired in 2001 from Air Canada in Richmond BC. He and his wife, Marjorie, had a home built on North Green Lake Rd. in 2005. Richard loved the outdoors and being part of the Community, so he soon joined the Fire Department (WLNGLVFD). He quickly learned how to operate all of our equipment and became the Engine operator for Hall #2. He also joined the First Responders in our Department when we offered that service. Richard soon became one of two Captains at Hall #2.

Being a permanent resident, he answered more calls than most. He was present for most of the major fires in our area: The Elephant Hill fire of 2017, The Flat Lake fire of 2021, as well as the more recent Flying U Lodge and 70 Mile General Store fires. He had a great sense of humour as demonstrated by his answer to a younger firefighter at the debrief on the 70 Mile General Store fire. The young guy asked why Richard had laid a hose line between the store and the Post Office. His reply: “had to save the Post Office because it has our pension cheques in it”.

Richard’s camaraderie and friendship will be missed by all of us in the Department and the Community.

WLNGLVFD Directors

12/15/2024

Hello friends and neighbours!

I took a few pictures from the "Extinguish the Hunger" food drive organized by the Lone Butte VFD and attended by our Watch Lake-N. Green Lake VFD's Officer Bonnie as well as members from Forest Grove and Deka Lake VFD. This was held on Friday at Save - On Foods.

From what I could see when I was there around 11:30 a.m., the rescue trucks were filling up! Already the Deka Lake and Lone Butte trucks were nearly full. I'm hoping by the end of the day, ours and Forest Grove's trucks were full too!

Kudos to the Lone Butte VFD for organizing this event and to Training Officer Bonnie Kent for attending on behalf of our crew!

12/10/2024

Good day neighbours and friends!
Our Watch Lake - North Green Lake Fire Department will be joining with other South Cariboo Fire Halls for a food/product drive.

The invitation came from the Lone Butte VFD:
This Friday, Dec 13th from 10am-4pm at Save on Foods we are putting on a food/product drive and would like to have all South Cariboo Fire Halls involved. We are looking to have Command/Squad vehicles from every hall here promoting with an “Extinguish The Hunger” cause filling each truck for the food bank.

We will be collecting at our halls on Wednesday from anyone interested in donating to this worthy event.

9 - 11 at Hall 1 (Shorty Horn Memorial Hall on Pioneer Road)
10 - 12 at Hall 2 (Sonny Johnson Memorial Hall on Green Lake North Road)

Or people can come and donate in town on Friday.

12/07/2024

Hello friends and neighbours!

This is just a reminder that the Watch Lake - North Green VFD fire dues were sent out by email and mail (thankfully long before the postal strike) and the deadline for payment - January 1st, is approaching.

If you didn't receive an invoice, please send me a private message so I can get one to you pronto or go to the website listed below. Feel free to message me with any questions or concerns.

Why isn't fire protection included in your annual taxes, you ask? Because our fire department is an "independent" department. That means we collect the fees directly from property owners in our fire protection area. This also means we save hundreds to over a thousand dollars in fire protection fees.

It's more work to have to send out invoices and then collect those fees, but it is so worth it! We pay far less than many of our neighbouring fire protection areas. And yet, we are one of the best equipped fire departments in the Cariboo Regional District and have a roster of over 30 fire fighters!

You can pay for fire dues at our website. Just click on the "Dues" tab!

New! Links to “BC Wildfire Service” and “Fire Smoke Canada” websites have been added to “Addditional Information” below. Also, see more recent films on the impact of wildfires across Canada. Click on the “Videos” tab on the above Menu.

11/29/2024

On November 23, the fire dept. participated in the annual Santa Claus Parade held in 100 Mile House, B.C. Fire engine E21 was decorated for the parade. Also, included were fire dept. volunteer walkers who gave out candies to onlookers dat the parade. Have a Merry Christmas one and all!

11/09/2024

Good morning neighbours and friends!

I received a message from Dale yesterday that bottle and can sorting is going to be postponed until Tuesday as both she and Alan will be at the Remembrance Day ceremony in 100 Mile House.

Bottle and can sorting will take place on:

TUESDAY, November 12th
10:00 a.m.
Shorty Horn Memorial Fire Hall on Pioneer Road.

It will be back to every other Monday again as usual afterwards.
A HUGE thank you to all those who are helping with this fire department fund raiser!

10/27/2024

Hello friends and neighbours!

Just a reminder that bottle and can sorting will be happening:

Monday, Oct 28th
10:00 a.m.
Shorty Horn Memorial Fire Hall ( #1) on Pioneer Road, across from the Tall Timbers Resort.

If you can spare an hour or two and want to visit with your neighbours, please come on out!

Many thanks to the dedicated people who have been helping out over the years. The money raised helps keep our fire department running.

10/08/2024

Good morning friends and neighbours. What a wonderful fall we've had so far. It's the first relatively rainy fall in years!

I received this update from fire fighter Dale about the VFD bottles and cans recycling program:

We have decided that we will do one more sorting next Monday 14 at 09:00 a.m.

We will then switch to every 2 weeks and will sort at 10:00 a.m.

Here is the schedule to the end of the year:

Monday October 14th, 09:00h a.m. at Hall #1 (on Pioneer Road)
Monday October 28th 10:00 a.m. at Hall #1
Monday November 11th 10:00 a.m.
Monday November 25th 10:00 a.m.
Monday December 9th 10:00 a.m.
Monday, December 23rd, 10:00 a.m.

Please check back here as this schedule may change.
Thank you to everyone who is contributing!

10/05/2024

Category 2 and 3 open burning bans have been rescinded for all zones in the Cariboo Fire Center.

Effective at 12 p.m. (noon) PDT on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, Category 2 and Category 3 open burning and other associated activities will be permitted across all zones in the Prince George Fire Centre, Kamloops Fire Centre and Cariboo Fire Centre, including the Tsilhqot’in (Xeni Gwet’in) Declared Title Area.

Before lighting a fire of any size, check with your local government authority as they may have their own restrictions in place. Always ensure you are engaging in safe open burning practices and are properly prepared and aware of the conditions.

Anyone lighting a Category 3 fire must first obtain a burn registration number by calling 1-888-797-1717 or emailing [email protected].

Those lighting a Category 3 fire must also comply with B.C.’s Open Burning Smoke Control Regulations: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/air-land-water/air/air-pollution/smoke-burning/regulations/openburningregulation

As well, check the local venting index by calling 1-888-281-2992 or visiting: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/air-land-water/air/air-pollution/smoke-burning/ventilation-index

It is critical that you are aware of the type of open burn you may be engaging in before lighting any fire. For more information about the four categories of open burning, as well as safe open burning practices, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/wildfire-status/prevention/fire-bans-and-restrictions/open-burning

For more information on fire bans and restrictions in your area, including these Category 3 open fire prohibition rescinds, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/wildfire-status/prevention/fire-bans-and-restrictions

08/26/2024

I received a heart-warming message from Officer Bonnie Kent this weekend.

The VFD sign at Hall #2 blew over in the rain storm Friday night/ early Saturday morning.

Bonnie let me know that thanks to the actions of neighbours living across from Hall #2 and another neighbour, Bill, the sign was re-installed quickly!

Bonnie's comment "We live in an amazing community❤️"

I couldn't agree more! Thank you for the quick action in getting the sign back to where it belongs!

08/23/2024

We should all consider "turning-down-the-heat" solutions in this new era of wildfires. Watch the attached BC Sierra Club video webinar to find out more information on what we can do to help.

A SCBC webinar focusing on the climate action and forest stewardship solutions we need to be safer in this new era of fire.