East Kootenay FireSmart

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

The East Kootenay's focus on the FireSmart program continues to go strong. We follow the principles of FireSmart BC and FireSmart Canada, with the goal of encouraging residents to adopt FireSmart practices and reduce the potential for wildfire impacts on their properties.

Homeowners and communities should start by focusing on areas directly around the home - especially the non-combustible zone (0-1.5m) and zone 1 (1.5-10m). Preventing ignition in these areas will have a large impact on the resilience of a home. Once these areas are done, continue to move outwards from your home and apply FireSmart principles in your outer yard (10-30m).

BE A CHAMPION

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.

Ben Mitchell-Banks is a FireSmart Champion for CastleRock Estates in Invermere. Here, he explains the perimeter treatment that was conducted surrounding their neighbourhood.

To learn more about how to become a community champion, please contact Terry Balan at FireSmart@rdek.bc.ca.


FOCUS ON EMBERS

When we think of wildfire damaging our homes and properties, we often think of a wall of fire burning everything in its path. This is often inaccurate. In most cases, embers are the primary means by which wildfire is likely to destroy your property. The costs of repairing or replacing what embers damage or destroy in Canada run into the billions every year.

Many homeowners make the mistake of assuming their property is far enough away from the fire and should be safe. Carried by the wind, embers on average travel as far as 2 kilometres before falling, still capable of instantly igniting the right fuel. There have also been documented instances of embers travelling 17 kilometres!

In this video, IBHS Research Centre demonstrates in a large lab, how embers can quickly ignite a home.

Find out how you can make your home more fire resilient to embers by visiting: Why we focus on embers.


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:


AGRICULTURAL SECTOR RESOURCES:

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

*FireSmart, Intelli-feu and other associated Marks are trademarks of Partners in Protection Association.*


The East Kootenay's focus on the FireSmart program continues to go strong. We follow the principles of FireSmart BC and FireSmart Canada, with the goal of encouraging residents to adopt FireSmart practices and reduce the potential for wildfire impacts on their properties.

Homeowners and communities should start by focusing on areas directly around the home - especially the non-combustible zone (0-1.5m) and zone 1 (1.5-10m). Preventing ignition in these areas will have a large impact on the resilience of a home. Once these areas are done, continue to move outwards from your home and apply FireSmart principles in your outer yard (10-30m).

BE A CHAMPION

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.

Ben Mitchell-Banks is a FireSmart Champion for CastleRock Estates in Invermere. Here, he explains the perimeter treatment that was conducted surrounding their neighbourhood.

To learn more about how to become a community champion, please contact Terry Balan at FireSmart@rdek.bc.ca.


FOCUS ON EMBERS

When we think of wildfire damaging our homes and properties, we often think of a wall of fire burning everything in its path. This is often inaccurate. In most cases, embers are the primary means by which wildfire is likely to destroy your property. The costs of repairing or replacing what embers damage or destroy in Canada run into the billions every year.

Many homeowners make the mistake of assuming their property is far enough away from the fire and should be safe. Carried by the wind, embers on average travel as far as 2 kilometres before falling, still capable of instantly igniting the right fuel. There have also been documented instances of embers travelling 17 kilometres!

In this video, IBHS Research Centre demonstrates in a large lab, how embers can quickly ignite a home.

Find out how you can make your home more fire resilient to embers by visiting: Why we focus on embers.


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:


AGRICULTURAL SECTOR RESOURCES:

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

*FireSmart, Intelli-feu and other associated Marks are trademarks of Partners in Protection Association.*


Page last updated: 01 Feb 2023, 02:34 PM