Image: Pattison Media / Chilliwack Fire Dept. on scene on Keith Wilson Road just before noon on Tuesday, Nov. 4.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Burning complaint

Chilliwack firefighters respond to burning complaint at site of unpermitted gurdwara

Nov 4, 2025 | 12:13 PM

CHILLIWACK — Chilliwack firefighters were called to the 44200 block of Keith Wilson Road just before noon Tuesday morning for the report of a burning complaint on the property of an unpermitted gurdwara.

According to scanner traffic, fire crews from Chilliwack Fire Department Engine 4-2 were paged at approximately 11:43 a.m. for the report of construction materials being burned at 44233 Keith Wilson Road.

Firefighters told dispatch at about 11:50 a.m. they located light smoke coming from the backyard.

Just before noon, firefighters radioed dispatch to say a small burn pile of clean wood had been located. A person on site did have a valid burn permit, but the low burning index (Ventilation Index) made it invalid today. As a result, firefighters issued a violation notice and the fire was subsequently extinguished.

The Ventilation Index in B.C. indicates burning is prohibited today in Chilliwack.

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Firefighters cleared the scene at roughly noon.

The City of Chilliwack has been working with the property owners to bring the property into compliance with city bylaws because the property is zoned for ag land, not a gurdwara. No fines have been issued, and the city says it is aware of bylaw complaints connected to the property at 44233 Keith Wilson Road where Shiri Guru Granth Sahbit Ji Society is operating Gurdwara Sahib Chilliwack.