Al Kirkwood has stepped down as fire chief of the Barriere Volunteer Fire Department.
Mayor Virgina Smith made the announcement in a news release Tuesday, saying the district received notice that Kirkwood has resigned after 26 years with the department — 23 years as chief.
Deputy Chief Rob Lennea will serve as interim fire chief until further notice.
The district CAO did not provide further details as to the reason for his departure.
Kirkwood is also no longer an employee of Black Press.
He joined the company in 1999 and served almost all of his 17 years as publisher of the North Thompson Star Journal and the Clearwater Times.