Wood stove season is here.  Clean your Chimney!

Lead causes of chimney fires:

  • Creosote Build-up

  • Flue Blockage

  • Poor Ventilation

  • Spontaneous Combustion

  • Improper Use of Fireplace

  • Animal Nests

  • Faulty and Leaky Chimney

Conditions that encourage the buildup of creosote:

  • restricted air supply
  • unseasoned wood
  • cooler than normal chimney temperatures

Creosote exists in three stages or degrees:

  • Stage one: Flammable but not yet hazardous.
  • Stage two: Slightly more dangerous; a fire will start more readily.
  • Stage three: This is the most hazardous stage of creosote buildup and should be addressed immediately.

Signs of a FAST burning Chimney Fire

  1. Flickering flames in your fireplace

  2. Loud crackling or popping sound

  3. Large amount of dense smoke

  4. Hot smell coming from your fireplace

  5. An increase in the temperature of your room

Signs of a SLOW burning Chimney Fire

  1. Puffy creosote

  2. Excessive soot on the walls of your chimney

  3. Cracked flue tiles

  4. Discolored and distorted chimney cap

  5. Roof damage

  6. Ground roofing material damage

  7. Smoke in the house

 

FROM THE CHIEF

Thank you for visiting the Chester Basin Fire Department website.

We are proud to serve the citizens of Chester Basin and the surrounding areas in District 4. With over 30 dedicated volunteers, we provide emergency services including fire response, medical first response, motor vehicle collisions, ice and water rescues, and other calls for assistance.

Last year, we responded to over 60 emergency calls within our community, as well as providing assistance to neighboring areas during several emergencies.

The safety of our citizens and visitors is our top priority. Please take a moment to explore the Safety and Prevention information we’ve provided for your benefit.

Our volunteer team would be honored to show you the apparatus and equipment we use when responding to emergencies. Feel free to give us a call—we’d be happy to give you a tour of the station.

If you have time and interest in helping your community, please check out the information on our Volunteering page.

We’d love to see you join our team. Stay safe!


Doug Rines, Fire Chief
Chester Basin Fire Department

About us

Chester Basin Volunteer Fire Department is not just about fire safety; we are dedicated to ensuring the overall safety and well being of our community in Chester Basin, Nova Scotia. With years of experience in the fire service, we have responded to hundreds of fires, accidents and medical calls.  Our team of volunteers is dedicated to making sure you are safe.