Fire crews in the region responded to more than one call per day on average to start 2026, as emergency services stayed busy through the first three months of the year.
Between Jan. 1 and March 31, County of Vermilion River Fire Services handled 103 calls for service. That works out to just over one call per day across the 90-day period.
A significant portion of those calls involved motor vehicle collisions, many tied to severe winter weather that impacted the region in February.
County firefighters responded to 23 motor vehicle collisions during that time, along with 33 medical calls and 15 mutual aid requests to assist neighbouring departments.
Other incidents included:
- 10 alarm calls
- 7 assistance calls
- 5 vehicle fires
- 4 structure fires
- 2 hazardous materials calls
- 2 grass, field or brush fires
Crews also handled smoke and odour investigations and issued 261 fire permits during the first quarter.
The number of collisions highlights the impact winter conditions can have on road safety, especially during periods of severe weather.
Public safety calls continue into 2026
County of Vermilion River Peace officers also remained active, balancing new calls with ongoing investigations carried over from late 2025.
A total of 58 new calls for service were recorded in the first quarter, including municipal, provincial and RCMP-related files, along with property checks and assistance to other agencies.
Road ban patrols began in March, focusing on protecting infrastructure during spring thaw conditions.
Emergency management monitors regional risks
Emergency management teams tracked 22 incidents during the same period, most related to transportation and travel, followed by utility disruptions and extreme weather events.
The figures reflect a steady start to the year, with winter conditions playing a key role in early demand for emergency services.
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