FireSmart is living with and managing for wildfire on our landscape. It is an initiative designed to help home and property owners reduce the chance of their property being affected by wildfire. FireSmart activities such as tree thinning, clearing and pruning occur in a community to help reduce the risk of a wildfire. FireSmart also involves simple actions a homewoner can do to their home and property to help decrease wildfire damage.
The greatest wildfire threats to homeowners are the transfer of wildfire from house to house (direct heat) and ignition from ember showers. An ember shower is when large embers are thrown from a wildfire and carried into the air. 50% of the homes burned from wildfires are started by sparks and embers. While FireSmart cannot totally remove the threat of damage from a wildfire, property loss can be significantly reduced by performing FireSmart activities.
-
FireSmart Canada’s Neighbourhood Recognition Program (NRP) is a national program developed to officially recognize neighbourhoods that have taken critical steps to reduce their vulnerability to wildland fire. The program focuses on bringing neighbours together to address threats on their respective properties, and those in common areas within the community.
-
-
-
Tracy Macleod Co-Chair (PGCA)
Phil Jackson Co-Chair (PGSCL)
Paul Healy (PGSCL)
Chris Prodahl (PGG&CC)
Kathy Schulz (Resident Member)
Tips & Tricks For Your Home & Yard
-
![]()
10 METRE ZONE
Remove all combustible material (twigs, dry grass, logs and leaves) within 10 metres of a structure.
-
![]()
PRUNE TREES
Prune evergreen tree branches two metres from the ground if they are within 30 metres of your home
-
![]()
MULCH
Do not use bark or pine needle mulch around your home. They are highly flammable.
Rocks are an excellent substitute for conventional mulches. While they may not add nutrients to the soil, they will trap moisture. -
![]()
LANDSCAPING
Plant fire-resistant plants and shrubs, such as supple leafy plants, around your home. Needled trees and shrubs such as spruce, pine, fir, cedars and junipers are highly flammable
-
![]()
FIREPITS & FIREWOOD
Build all firepits according to County Specifications and place away from trees and overhanging branches. Ensure there is 3 metres free of combustable materials around the pit. Never leave a fire pit unattended.
Keep firewood piles at least 10 metres from structures.
-
![]()
ROOF
Use fire resistant material such as Class A, B, or C rated roofing such as asphalt, metal or clay
-
![]()
GUTTERS, EAVES & VENTS
Clean your gutters of debris regularly. Embers can ignite dry materials.
Screen in your vents (3mm mesh) and close in your eaves. This reduces the chance of embers or heat igniting your roof.
-
![]()
CHIMNEY
A spark arrestor should be placed on your chimney to reduce sparks from escaping.
-
![]()
SIDING
Choose stucco, brick/concrete, or fibre cement board. Vinyl and untreated timber siding provides little protection against fire.
-
![]()
WINDOWS & DOORS
Tempered, thermal (double paned) windows are recommended.
All entry doors into yoour home should be fire rated. This is true for garage doors also.
-
![]()
DECKS
Enclose your decks and patios with fire resistant sheathing material to stop embers from collecting underneath and igniting a fire.
