What can people do to mitigate the risk of wildfire in their communities?
- Mitigating wildfire risk is a shared responsibility.
- People can play a critical role in mitigating wildfire risks around their homes and properties by undertaking FireSmart initiatives.
- For example, residents can help protect their homes and community by:
- Cleaning any dry debris like leaves or branches from under decks,
- Making sure roofs and gutters are clean and clear,
- Keeping lawns cut short (below 10 centimetres) – wildfire loves tall grass!
- Moving items like firewood, propane tanks, plastic toys, dog houses at least 10 M from structures.
- Keeping trees and shrubs pruned and watered,
- When planting new trees or plants, opt for the leafy variety that are more resistant to fire. Examples are poplar, birch, aspen, cottonwood, maple, alder, ash and cherry
Research shows that doing simple FireSmart tasks like moving propane tanks and combustible vegetation away from your home can make your property more resilient to wildfire.
Be Prepared and Learn More…
Download the Emergency Wildfire Preparedness Checklist for information on what to do to your home when preparing to evacuate. Visit FireSmartBC for more resources.