Tell dispatch where, what, and how big — in that order
When you call 1-800-663-5555 in BC, 310-FIRE in Alberta, or 911 in the US, the dispatcher needs three things quickly: where the fire is, what is...
When you call 1-800-663-5555 in BC, 310-FIRE in Alberta, or 911 in the US, the dispatcher needs three things quickly: where the fire is, what is burning, and how large it appears. For location, give the most precise reference you can — highway and kilometre marker, nearest road junction, lake, trailhead, address or GPS coordinates from your phone. If you have lat/long, read it slowly and confirm it. For what is burning, describe whether it is grass, brush, trees (and roughly what kind), a structure, or an abandoned campfire. For size, give a rough estimate: smaller than a car, the size of a house, a hectare, or larger. Also note smoke colour (white, grey, black), wind direction, and whether the fire appears to be moving toward people, structures or roads. Stay on the line as long as the dispatcher asks. Once they confirm they have what they need, get yourself to a safe distance — never put yourself between an active fire and your only escape route to make a better report.
Smoke colour tells dispatch what is actually burning — white usually means vegetation, grey means structure, black means fuel or plastics — and that information shapes the entire response.
Source: BC Wildfire Service
Last reviewed 2026-05-02.
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