Wildfires are an ever-present threat in many regions, and the recent wildfire seasons in British Columbia have underscored the importance of preparedness. Following FireSmart principles can significantly reduce the risk of wildfire damage to your home. Here are the key FireSmart tips to keep your home safe.

Create a Fire-Resistant Zone

• Clear Space Around Your Home: Maintain a minimum 1.5-meter non-combustible zone using gravel, stone, or other fire-resistant materials. This includes not having shrubs under your eaves.

Prune Trees and Shrubs

• Vegetation Management: Prune branches to at least 2 meters above the ground to reduce ladder fuels and remove any dead or dry vegetation.

Maintain Your Roof and Gutters

• Regular Cleaning: Keep your roof and gutters clear of leaves, needles, and debris. Consider installing gutter guards.

Use Fire-Resistant Building Materials

• Building Standards: Choose Class A roofing materials like metal or asphalt shingles and fire-resistant siding such as hardie-board.

Design a Fire-Resistant Garden

• Fire-Safe Landscaping: Plant fire-resistant species, keep plants well-watered, and avoid plants that produce lots of dry, dead material. Many nurseries offer a FireSmart Plant Program.  See the FireSmart website for additional information.

Keep Sheds, and Store Firewood and Combustible Materials Safely

• Proper Storage: Keep sheds, firewood, and other combustible materials at least 10 meters from structures. Ideally, uphill or on the same level as your home, never downhill.

Seal Eaves, Vents, and Soffits

• Prevent Ember Intrusion: Use fine mesh screening to block embers from entering attics and ensure all openings are properly sealed.

Choose Deciduous Trees Over Conifers

• Tree Selection: Deciduous trees are less combustible than coniferous trees like pines or firs. Planting deciduous trees over conifers can reduce fire risk around your home.

Prepare an Emergency Kit

• Emergency Preparedness: Include essentials like water, food, medications, and important documents, and ensure each family member knows the evacuation plan out of their neighbourhood and established plans with friends or family in neighbouring communities is a good idea.

Stay Informed and Involved

• Community Engagement: Participate in local FireSmart community programs and stay updated on local fire weather conditions and alerts.

Implementing these FireSmart principles can significantly enhance your home’s resilience against wildfires. Many people start at the furthest reaches of their property when, in fact, the most significant impact is on improvements made near the home. Simple changes can make a big difference, providing peace of mind and protecting your property.

Given the recent severe wildfire seasons in BC, where thousands of hectares have burned and many communities have faced evacuation, it’s more important than ever to be proactive. The BC Wildfire Service and local authorities have emphasized the need for preparedness and community involvement. In BC, building standards are increasingly incorporating FireSmart principles to ensure new constructions are better protected against wildfires.

Sources:

• BC FireSmart: firesmartbc.ca

• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA): nfpa.org

• BC Wildfire Service: bcwildfire.ca

• BC Building Code: British Columbia Building Code bccodes.ca

Remember, being proactive and prepared is the best defense against wildfires. Stay safe, stay informed, and stay FireSmart!

Whether seeking solace, activity, schools, churches, or green space, every homebuyer looks for a different combination of attributes in a new community. Choosing a neighbourhood that suits your needs and wants is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in the home buying process; your choice of environment will affect the way you experience your new home.

This is a very personal decision, influenced by countless unique factors colouring your own lives, but you should always keep the following in mind:

1. If you’re considering buying a home in a community that is unfamiliar to you, get to know its layout, offerings, and ambiance. Take some time to walk or drive through the neighbourhood, both during the day and at night, familiarizing yourself with the sights, sounds, and smells.

2. What amenities does the neighbourhood have to offer? Is public transportation readily accessible? Are there schools, churches, parks, or grocery stores within reach? Consider visiting schools in the area if you have children.

3. What is the nature of the job market in the area? Keep in mind that if area employers are producing more jobs, you can expect property values to increase, especially if the jobs offered fall within a higher salary bracket.

4. Speak with the neighbours. Ask questions. They can offer you a wealth of information from an inside perspective.

5. How will you be affected by a new commute to work? Drive the route between the new neighbourhood and your office during the appropriate times to gauge the volume of traffic you could expect to encounter, and the amount of time you’d need to put aside for daily travel.

6. Contact local land-use and zoning officials to determine existing development plans or potential for development in the area. A strong agenda for neighbourhood planning and local zoning will increase the value and draw of a neighbourhood. Keep in mind that any large, tree-covered area may be a target for future development in popular communities.

7. Determine whether financial resources have been put in place to support infrastructure projects in the area. These construction projects might include building, replacing, or improving anything from schools to roads, and are usually part of a city or town’s long-term plan. While disruptive, construction could also be a benefit to your experience of a community, influencing the long-term value of the area.

Please let me know if you have questions.