Former Courtenay fire chief Lawrence Burns. (Photo courtesy of Courtenay Volunteer Fire Department's Facebook page).
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Retired Courtenay fire chief Lawrence Burns passes away

Wylie Henderson
By Wylie Henderson

The Courtenay Fire Department says retired chief Lawrence Burns passed away over the weekend.

Burns joined the department as a volunteer firefighter in the early 1950s and became Courtenay’s first full-time fire chief in 1969. He served in that role until retiring in 1995.

After leaving the position, Burns continued to serve the fire community as chaplain for the Comox Valley Fire Chiefs Association until 2024.

He also chaired the city’s Heritage Advisory Commission and was recognized by Heritage BC for his volunteer work in heritage conservation.

In 2022, the city named a park in East Courtenay in his honour.

“As a mark of respect, we will be lowering the flags at the fire hall. We will provide information about his service as it becomes available,” said the fire department.

Wylie Henderson
Wylie Henderson
Wylie is news director for Vancouver Island, bringing more than a decade of broadcast experience to the role. A Vancouver native, he moved to the Island in 2025 with his wife and stepdaughter after a long run on the airwaves in the Kootenays. He is committed to delivering timely, reliable and community-focused news to listeners across the region. A lifelong Vancouver Canucks and B.C. Lions fan, Wylie is just as comfortable breaking down a game as he is breaking down a news story. Away from the newsroom, he can often be found on the golf course, cycling or lacing up his skates for a game of hockey. For Wylie, keeping listeners informed about what matters locally is more than a job, it’s a passion.

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