RDEK Fire Services - South Country

05/04/2026

Thank you to all our members in Baynes Lake, Elko, Hosmer and Jaffray.

03/26/2026

NEWS RELEASE: TIE LAKE TRANSFER STATION REOPENS FOLLOWING FIRE (posted: Mar.25.26 7:17pm)

The Tie Lake Transfer Station in Jaffray has reopened following a fire earlier today.

“When we arrived on site, we found a smoldering fire within the tire pile, which made it a more complicated response,” explains Elk Valley & South Country Rural Fire Assistant Chief Rachael Engelhardt. “Our firefighters did an excellent job of triaging the situation and, with the assistance of an equipment operator, were able to separate the pile safely and extinguish the fire.”

9 members from the Elko and Jaffray Fire Departments responded along with RDEK staff and heavy equipment contractor. They remained on scene for several hours to ensure there were no hot spots.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

The site was closed for several hours during the response but has now fully reopened.

11/25/2025

10/09/2025

10/06/2025

This is Fire Prevention Week™ and the theme this year is "Charge into Fire Safety™: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home,” focusing on using these batteries safely. It is important to know how to BUY, CHARGE, and RECYCLE safely when it comes to lithium-ion batteries.

Charge into Fire Safety: 3 Steps

1) Buy only listed products. When buying a product that uses a lithium-ion battery, look for a safety certification mark such as UL, ETL, or CSA. This means it meets important safety standards.

2) Charge devices safely. Always use the cords that came with the product to charge. Follow the instructions from the manufacturer. Buy new chargers from the manufacturer or one that the manufacturer has approved. Charge your device on a hard surface. Don’t overcharge your device. Unplug it or remove the battery when it’s fully charged.

3) Recycle batteries responsibly. Don’t throw lithium-ion batteries in the trash or regular recycling bins because they could start a fire. Recycle your device or battery at a safe battery recycling location. Visit call2recycle.ca to find a recycling spot near you.

Watch for more fire prevention tips all week and learn more by visiting https://www.nfpa.org/events/fire-prevention-week

10/01/2025

Calling all residents of Jaffray, Baynes Lake, Elko, Hosmer, Fairmont, Windermere, Edgewater, and Panorama. We're officially on the hunt for dedicated and courageous individuals to join our RDEK Rural Fire and Rescue Service teams. If you've got a passion for community service and the willingness to train, you're just who we need.

Strengthen our vital rural fire departments and ensure we're ready to answer every call. Become a paid-on-call firefighter today.

Apply now to the Elk Valley and South Country or Columbia Valley Rural Fire & Rescue Service by visiting the RDEK’s website or dropping by any local Fire Hall to collect your application form.

Join us in making a difference. In order to be ready for fall training, we need to hear from you now. For more information, contact:
▪ Elk Valley and South Country Rural Fire & Rescue Service: 250-429-3133
▪ Columbia Valley Rural Fire & Rescue Service: 250-342-6214
or visit www.rdek.bc.ca

09/17/2025

𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐁𝐮𝐬 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐚 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐛𝐮𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝, 𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐡 𝐝𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐩.

This law is in place to protect children as they get on and off the bus. There is no excuse for ignoring it.

Yesterday, these three drivers were captured on camera failing to stop for a school bus with its lights and stop sign activated. These dangerous actions put children’s lives at risk and will not be tolerated.

𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐛𝐮𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭 𝐢𝐧:

𝐀 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 $𝟑𝟔𝟖 (𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐦𝐮𝐦)

𝟔 𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐭 𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐬

𝐏𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧

Children are among our most vulnerable road users. Their safety depends on every driver doing the right thing. If you see the red lights flashing and stop sign out, STOP. No exceptions.

Let’s keep our roads safe and protect the kids who rely on us to get them to and from school safely.

09/07/2025

Speed puts everyone on the road at risk.
Residents and visitors to the Elk Valley are reminded to obey the posted speed limit.
On September 5, 2025 an Elk Valley RCMP officer was conducting patrols and stopped a driver going 185 km/h in a 100 km/h zone.
The 35 year old driver was issued an excessive speed ticket and had their vehicle impounded for 7 days.
Elk Valley RCMP are committed to public safety and we are actively patrolling our streets and highways.
We ask for your support in following the posted speed limits and keeping our roads safe.