The Wildland 5 MAX, Powered by Community
Gun Lake Fire Brigade
September 3, 2025 – Tucked high in the Coast Range Mountains, the Gun Lake community is small, remote, and resilient. With just 25 year-round residents, and more than 270 properties filled with seasonal neighbors—the people here know that when wildfire comes, they can’t wait hours for outside help. They have to be ready themselves.
This summer, they became stronger than ever. Gun Lake Fire Brigade welcomed their new Wildland 5 MAX—not through government funding or municipal budgets, but through a year-long grassroots effort fueled entirely by the community
In 2023, the Downton Lake Wildfire swept dangerously close to Gun Lake, destroying 51 structures. The brigade’s aging 1991 Ford truck was pushed to its limits.
Compensation from the British Columbia Wildfire Service provided the first seed funding, which volunteers unanimously donated back to the brigade. That momentum was quickly strengthened by a $50,000 gift from the McLean/McQuaig Foundation, matched by community contributions both large and small—even a young resident’s lemonade stand proceeds. The final step came with a successful $250,000 BC Community Gaming Grant, secured with the help of grant writer Laurie Reimer, which gave the brigade the ability to move forward with the purchase of a new fire truck.
By the end of the drive, Gun Lake had raised enough to fully fund a new wildland fire engine—without increasing local taxes or incurring debt in just one year.
When the Wildland 5 MAX finally arrived, neighbours gathered at the firehall for a time-honoured tradition: the push-in ceremony. Together, they rolled the truck into its new bay, celebrating its entry into service and honouring the long history of firefighting. It was more than just a symbolic gesture. It was a moment of pride and unity for everyone who made the truck possible.
Speed of delivery mattered. Instead of waiting the typical 12–18 months, Gun Lake secured a truck already in production—avoiding delays, tariff concerns, and the risk of another wildfire season with outdated equipment. Built on the International CV 515 chassis, outfitted with a 500-gallon tank, four-wheel drive, and a flexible WATERAX BB-4 pump system, the truck is designed for their rugged terrain and volunteer crew. Most importantly, nearly every member of the brigade can now confidently drive and operate it.
The outgoing Ford didn’t retire to a scrapyard—it was passed along to the newly formed Gold Bridge Fire Protection Society, extending its service to another remote community. The brigade’s previous truck built by Hub Fire Engines proved to be a durable and long lasting build.
For Gun Lake, the Wildland 5 MAX is more than a truck. It’s a promise that when wildfire threatens, their brigade is ready. It’s proof of what happens when neighbours, families, and even children with lemonade stands come together for a common purpose.
As the brigade put it: “All donations, whether small or large, made this possible.” And now, the mountains are just a little safer.
We currently have one Wildland 5 MAX stock unit available for immediate delivery. Learn more here or inquire at sales@firetrucks.ca.