East Kootenay FireSmart

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The East Kootenay FireSmart program is underway for 2021 and we are actively seeking Neighbourhood Champions. What's a Neighbourhood Champion, you ask? Well, every good team needs a leader, and that is what a Neighbourhood Champion is: the person who rallies the neighbourhood, who helps organize and communicate about FireSmart activities, and who helps inspire their neighbourhood to join in on the action and reduce wildfire hazards.

The great thing is, a FireSmart Neighbourhood program doesn't have to be for a whole community. It can be for a defined neighbourhood within a community.

If you are interested in taking a leadership role or even just learning more about how you can help increase the safety of your neighbourhood, we have three workshops coming up:

  • Columbia Valley
    July 19 - 08:30am - 12:00pm
    Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce (Lions' Hall) - 651 Hwy 93/95
  • Cranbrook / Kimberley and Surrounding Areas
    July 20th 08:30am - 12:00pm
    Heritage Inn - 803 Cranbrook St N
  • Jaffray
    July 26th - 08:00am - 12:00pm
    Jaffray Community Centre - 7369 Jaffray Village Loop Road

These sessions are open to everyone in the RDEK and there is no cost to attend. To register, or for more information, please contact Terry Balan at FireSmart@rdek.bc.ca.


RESOURCES TO GET YOU STARTED:

FireSmarting your property can be easy. And, every action you take to remove a potential hazard, increases your property's resilience to wildfire. The best part is, simple and easy steps can make a drastic difference. Here are some resources from FireSmart BC to help get you started:


FireSmart BC Video - It's Time to Get FireSmart


AGRICULTURAL SECTOR RESOURCES:

There will be lots more to come in the days and weeks ahead, so please check back often!


The East Kootenay FireSmart program is underway for 2021 and we are actively seeking Neighbourhood Champions. What's a Neighbourhood Champion, you ask? Well, every good team needs a leader, and that is what a Neighbourhood Champion is: the person who rallies the neighbourhood, who helps organize and communicate about FireSmart activities, and who helps inspire their neighbourhood to join in on the action and reduce wildfire hazards.

The great thing is, a FireSmart Neighbourhood program doesn't have to be for a whole community. It can be for a defined neighbourhood within a community.

If you are interested in taking a leadership role or even just learning more about how you can help increase the safety of your neighbourhood, we have three workshops coming up:

  • Columbia Valley
    July 19 - 08:30am - 12:00pm
    Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce (Lions' Hall) - 651 Hwy 93/95
  • Cranbrook / Kimberley and Surrounding Areas
    July 20th 08:30am - 12:00pm
    Heritage Inn - 803 Cranbrook St N
  • Jaffray
    July 26th - 08:00am - 12:00pm
    Jaffray Community Centre - 7369 Jaffray Village Loop Road

These sessions are open to everyone in the RDEK and there is no cost to attend. To register, or for more information, please contact Terry Balan at FireSmart@rdek.bc.ca.


RESOURCES TO GET YOU STARTED:

FireSmarting your property can be easy. And, every action you take to remove a potential hazard, increases your property's resilience to wildfire. The best part is, simple and easy steps can make a drastic difference. Here are some resources from FireSmart BC to help get you started:


FireSmart BC Video - It's Time to Get FireSmart


AGRICULTURAL SECTOR RESOURCES:

There will be lots more to come in the days and weeks ahead, so please check back often!


  • RDEK Urges Residents to Get FireSmart

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    On the heels of the historic heat wave, and with a long, hot summer in the forecast, the RDEK is urging all rural property owners to take steps now to FireSmart their properties and help reduce the risk of damage caused by wildfire.

    “While we cannot change the fact that we live in a wildfire-prone region, we can increase our property’s resilience to wildfire by adopting FireSmart principles and taking steps to reduce hazards,” says RDEK Wildfire Resilience Coordinator Terry Balan. From simple actions like cleaning gutters and moving firewood or propane tanks, to choosing fire-resistant vegetation and pruning trees, there are numerous simple actions people can take to help reduce the risks on their property.

    To help support residents in accessing available resources, the RDEK has launched a new project page for the East Kootenay Fire Smart program at engage.rdek.bc.ca/firesmart. This page has local information and links to the wealth of resources from FireSmart BC and FireSmart Canada.

    In addition, the RDEK is looking for residents who are interested in becoming Neighbourhood Champions and acting as a leaders to coordinate and lead a collective effort to undertake wider FireSmart activities in their neighbourhood.

    “We have some incredible examples of neighbourhoods in the East Kootenay who have made huge strides in making their community safer, and the Neighbourhood Champions have been a critical piece of this success,” adds Balan. “Through our program, we also have additional resources available for Neighbourhood FireSmart programs including everything from wildfire hazard assessments to financial assistance for community chipping events.”

    To help raise awareness and encourage neighbourhoods to get involved, the RDEK’s FireSmart Program will be hosting three FireSmart Neighbourhood Champion Workshops this month across the region:

    • Columbia Valley
      July 19 - 08:30am - 12:00pm
      Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce (Lions' Hall) - 651 Hwy 93/95
    • Cranbrook / Kimberley and Surrounding Areas
      July 20th 08:30am - 12:00pm
      Heritage Inn - 803 Cranbrook St N
    • Jaffray
      July 26th - 08:00am - 12:00pm
      Jaffray Community Centre - 7369 Jaffray Village Loop Road

    These sessions are open to everyone in the RDEK and there is no cost to attend. To register, or for more information, please contact Terry Balan at FireSmart@rdek.bc.ca.

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