Windermere Community Association

09/02/2026

https://youtube.com/shorts/YFg-uVqAWJA?si=eboW03rlXrBv7G6_

08/31/2026

Earlier this month, the Timber Springs Community near Fairmont Hot Springs was hit by a wildfire. A BC Wildfire Service helicopter crew and an initial attack crew, already en route to a nearby fire, were diverted and intervened almost immediately. No structures were lost, and some cabins that were surrounded by flames came away scorched but standing.

Pictured here is Bill Thompson, in his "I Am FireSmart" t-shirt. His daughter, Kirsten Thompson, shared the photo along with her family's story.

"We are a FireSmart community, and I have teased my Dad, Bill, about him cutting down trees and obsessively cleaning up pine needles and debris. We were incredibly lucky, and no structures were lost, even though some were entirely surrounded by flames. Cabins were scorched but otherwise unscathed, in part because trees had been cut back and fuel sources replaced with rock borders. I am 100% a believer now and heartily endorse this program."

FireSmart activities can reduce risk to a home, but outcomes depend on many factors, including weather, fire behaviour, and emergency response. Kirsten and her family credit their FireSmart work, along with a fast response from BC Wildfire Service, with how their home came through.

Photo and story shared with permission from the Thompson family.

Do you have a FireSmart story we can share? Please reach out to [email protected].

Learn what FireSmart steps you can take today at firesmartbc.ca/prepare/

08/22/2026

08/21/2026

Living safely in the Columbia Valley starts with all of us. ❤️🏔️

Join us this Saturday from 11 AM to 1 PM and learn how to live safely alongside our wildlife while reducing wildfire risk around your home and community.

Come chat with local experts, pick up practical prevention tips, and discover simple actions that can make a big difference for your family, your neighbours, and the wildlife that call this valley home.

📍 12th Street Gathering Zone, Invermere
🕚 Saturday | 11 AM – 1 PM

Bring the whole family—we'd love to see you there! 🐻🌲🔥
Fairmont Community AssociationWindermere Community Association

08/21/2026

🐻 Higher-than-Normal Bear Activity Alert 🐻

Windermere and Fairmont Hot Springs, we are seeing a higher-than-normal level of bear activity, with multiple reports of a sow and her cubs throughout Windermere, Mountainside and Riverside.

It is imperative that we help these little families move back into the mountains as soon as possible. The easiest way to do that is by removing the reasons they're staying.

Right now, bears are in hyperphagia—their fall feeding frenzy—and they need around 20,000 calories every day to build up enough fat for winter. A fruit tree full of apples or an easy garbage meal is an invitation to come back again and again.

Are you rolling out the red carpet for them?

Please take a few minutes today to:

🍎 Harvest ripe fruit from your trees. If you are a senior, infirm, or second homeowner and not able to harvest this year contact Groundswell Community Greenhouse & Gardens
🗑️ Keep garbage secured and bring to the transfer station as often as possible. They have and they will break into your garage if they smell is ripe!
🐦‍⬛Remove bird feeders (which may contain between 8k-12k calories).
🍖Clean BBQs after every use + DON'T FORGET THE GREASE TRAP.

Every attractant we remove helps teach bears that our neighbourhoods aren't a place to find food. That's how we protect our families, our pets, and these bears.

Fairmont Community AssociationWindermere Community Association

07/25/2026

If anyone finds a little white dog around Shadybrook, Windermere or Indian Beach, her name is Lola and she belongs to Doug Ferris up Quartz Alley. She has a collar with her owners name and number on it. Please keep your eyes open for little Lola.

07/24/2026

This is Henry he is missing. Please help us find him. His collar was found on the south side of the dell rd. Just past Sinclair Ave. He is super friendly he’s been gone for 2 days. If you spot him please contact me.

07/15/2026

The bee didn’t stand a chance..

06/10/2026

Join us for this year's AGM where we will share our accomplishments from the past year, discuss our future immediate and long-term goals, and engage in meaningful community discussions.

Saturday June 27, 2026

11:00am

Windermere Community Hall

Hope to see you all there!

Send a message to learn more

05/07/2026

The WCA and The Windermere FireSmart Group are hosting a community education event this Sunday, May 10, starting at 1:00 PM at the Windermere Community Hall.

The East Kootenay FireSmart Program will be on hand to discuss how you can remove materials that would act as fuel during a wildfire.

RDEK Invasive Plant Technician Chelsea Tully will also be speaking on invasive plants within the RDEK. Local FireSmart Representative, Nate Breeze, will discuss how this relates to the FireSmart Program and how you can make FireSmart landscaping choices.

When: May 10th at 1:00 PM
Where: Windermere Community Hall (4726 North St)
Who: Windermere residents

We will once again have bins at the Windermere Community Hall from May 11th to May 25th for any of your yard debris (the list of items that can go in the bin are listed in the picture below)

We are tentatively looking at hosting the chipping truck on May 20th. If you would like to be included to have debris picked up from your driveway on that day please send an email to [email protected] and include your:

Name:
Street address:
Email Address:

Once the date is confirmed, we will plan out the truck's route and email you with instructions.

If you have any concerns or questions, you can also contact Wolfgang at 403-630-2975