LOCAL VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT LOSES HALF OF ITS FIRE TRUCKS IN OVERNIGHT FIRE – Jan 2026

Redwood Meadows Emergency Services (RMES) has announced it lost three firetrucks, a quad used for backcountry rescues and extensive equipment in an overnight fire that destroyed one of its outbuildings.

“We’re thankful that our members and the community are safe”, said Fire Chief Rob Evans. “Redwood Meadows Emergency Services remains fully operational and ready to respond to emergency calls.”

The fire was reported by members of the public at 5 p.m. Wednesday and quickly became fully involved. There was a full response from Redwood Meadows Emergency Services, as well as Rocky View County Fire Services, EMS, Tosguna Police Service and ATCO.

Despite the heroic efforts of more than 30 firefighters, the outbuilding was fully destroyed. The building contained equipment used to support emergency responses, including an older fire engine, a water tender truck, a bush buggy, a Utility Terrain Vehicle (UTV) and SCBA air bottle refilling station. Other early known losses include the emergency equipment on the trucks, additional emergency equipment, extra turnout gear, training equipment, RMES’ Training Centre and grass fire water containment units. TheRedwood Meadows Emergency Services’ front hall, which houses 220 Engine, 120 Rapid Response, 120 Rescue, member response gear and offices, was not impacted by the fire.

“We’re doing a thorough audit of our equipment inventory and will be working with our insurance company to provide a full list of losses. It will take time to replace 120 Engine and 120 Tender, which both RMES and our partners rely on to support emergency response,” said Evans. “Our immediate need is for donations of a new pickup truck to replace the one we lost that supported grassfire and working fire operations, as well as a UTV, which supported grassfire responses and an average of 100 backcountry rescues annually.
We can’t do our work without them.”

An independent fire investigation will take place, and the findings will be shared.

About Redwood Meadows Emergency Services (RMES)

• RMES is based in Redwood Meadows, Alberta, approximately 25 minutes west of Calgary.
• RMES responds to more than 450 calls a year.
• RMES is staffed by 34 members who receive extensive training, including 11 medical staff certified through the Alberta College of Paramedics.
• RMES was founded in 1979 and is fully volunteer-driven.
• RMES members invest approximately 20,000 volunteer hours into the community annually, the equivalent of eight full-time firefighters.