FireSmart is a national program that is used by communities across Canada to reduce the risk of future wildfire damage.
FireSmart in the region
In the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, we live with the risk of wildfire. Because of this, we have a shared responsibility to protect our homes and our properties from the threat of wildfire damage. When homeowners, renters, business owners and government all work together, we can make a significant impact on reducing wildfire risk in our region.
As a municipality, we work to implement the seven disciplines of the FireSmart program within our region, to reduce our collective risk of future wildfire damage and to ultimately increase public safety.
The seven disciplines of FireSmart |
|
History of FireSmart |
FireSmart is not a new initiative. In fact, the FireSmart program has been in our region since the early 2000s. Prior to the May 2016 Horse River Wildfire, FireSmart vegetation management treatments were applied to densely forested areas near the Birchwood Trails, Ermine Crescent, Sicamore Place and Burns Place. Since 2016, nearly 400 hectares of land throughout the region has been treated with FireSmart prescriptions. |
Current projects |
Vegetation managementThere are currently several FireSmart projects taking place throughout the region. Most projects aim to thin, prune and clean densely forested areas that border our neighbourhoods and communities. Crews work to remove all dead, down and unhealthy trees, clean surface fuels from the forest floor, space evergreens trees three metres apart (measured at the crown) and prune up evergreens two metres from the ground. FireSmart Interpretive TrailThe Municipality is currently planning a FireSmart Interpretive Trail project within the Birchwood Trail system. The FireSmart Interpretive Trail is set to be created near an existing set of trails along Cornwall Drive. |
FireSmart at home
Wildfires are a natural part of Alberta's wildland ecosystems. Without wildfire, the landscape loses its diversity. But by choosing to extend our communities further into forested areas, we become more exposed to the threat of wildfire. While living close to where wildfires occur can put our homes at risk, it is still possible to live safely. We can do this by following FireSmart principles around our own homes and properties. When FireSmart begins at home, we not only reduce the risk of wildfire damage to our own home and property, but also to our neighbour's homes, our communities and our region.
Tips for being FireSmart at home
Know your zones |
There are four priority zones that surround your home. They are:
Read about FireSmart changes you can makeDepending on your lot size, you may only have the ability to control some of the zones listed above. It's important to incorporate FireSmart changes, where possible on your property, to reduce your risk of future wildfire damage. A full list of tips for each priority zone can be found in the FireSmart Canada Homeowners manual. |
Tips for the non-combustible zone |
The non-combustible zone is the area between 0-1.5 meters of your home and deck. This zone also includes the structure of your home itself and the materials used to build your home. Here are basic FireSmart tips for this zone:
|
Tips for priority zone 1 |
|
Tips for priority zone 2 |
|
Tips for priority zone 3 |
|
FireSmart home partners program
The FireSmart Home Partners Program is an initiative that provides free FireSmart assessments to homeowners throughout the region. Assessments are conducted by members from Regional Emergency Services and are designed to help homeowners identify potential wildfire hazards that may exist around their own homes and properties. After each assessment, homeowners will receive an in-depth report of any hazards identified, along with FireSmart recommendations on how to reduce those hazards.
Dates for the 2020 FireSmart home partners program are available soon.
For more information on the FireSmart program in our region, please contact Pulse at 780-743-7000.
Downloads and links
- FireSmart projects
- FireSmart Interpretive Trail
- FireSmart home development guide
- FireSmart homeowners' manual
- FireSmart begins at home brochure
- FireSmart homeowners' assessment
- RMWB guide to FireSmart landscaping
- FireSmart Canada guide to landscaping
- FireSmart for the oil and gas industry
- Operation ReLeaf Fort McMurray
- Why some homes survived: Learning from the Fort McMurray wildland/urban interface fire disaster
- Wildfire recovery