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FireSmart

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

  • Education
  • Vegetation management
  • Legislation and planning
  • Development considerations
  • Interagency cooperation
  • Emergency planning
  • Cross training

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 management

There 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 Trail

The 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:

  • The non-combustible zone (0-1.5 metres out form your home and deck).
  • Priority Zone 1 (1.5-10 metres out from your home and deck).
  • Priority Zone 2 (10-30 metres out from your home and deck).
  • Priority Zone 3 (30-100 metres from your home and deck).

Read about FireSmart changes you can make

Depending 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:

  • Remove leaves, pine needles and other debris from your roof and gutters.
  • Ensure external siding is free from cracks, gaps or holes.
  • When building or renovating your home and/or deck, use non-combustible and fire-resistant materials
  • Maintain a 1.5 metre non-combustible zone around your home and deck. You can do this by raking down to mineral soil, laying rock or adding concrete.
  • Move combustible items such as toys, propane tanks and firewood piles being stored under your deck or up against your home. These items should be at least 10 meters away from your home or stored safely inside a shed or garage.
  • Ensure all doors going into your home are fire rated and have a tight seal. This also applies to garage doors.

Tips for priority zone 1

  • Mow grass and weeds within 10 metres of the house to 10 centimetres in length or less.
  • Clear vegetation and debris along both sides of combustible (wood) fence lines.
  • Plant deciduous (leafy) trees as opposed to evergreen trees, as evergreens dry out quickly and can ignite easily when in contact with embers and flame.
  • If evergreen trees are present in this zone, be sure to keep them well maintained by cleaning up fallen debris regularly and pruning branches up at least two meters from the ground.
  • Avoid using mulch in your garden beds. Mulch dries out quickly in our hot weather conditions and can ignite easily when in contact with embers and flame.
  • Include debris clean-up in Spring and Fall as part of your yard maintenance.

Tips for priority zone 2

  • Do not use bark or pine needle mulches within 10 metres of your home.
  • Burn barrels should be placed as far as possible from structures and trees. Keep the area within 3 metres of the burn barrel free of combustible material.
  • Power lines should be clear of branches and other vegetation. Contact your local utility company to discuss removing any branches or vegetation around overhead electrical installations.
  • Plant deciduous (leafy) trees as opposed to evergreen trees, as evergreens dry out quickly and can ignite easily when in contact with embers and flame.
  • Include debris clean-up in Spring and Fall as part of your yard maintenance.

Tips for priority zone 3

  • Remove low hanging branches within 2 metres off the ground.
  • Space trees 3 metres from branch tips to reduce the intensity and rate of spread of a wildfire.
  • Remove smaller evergreen trees that can act as a ladder for fire to move into the treetops.
  • Clean woody debris and combustible shrubs from the ground.
  • Clear vegetation from access routes to and from your home. Target trees and branches that would make it difficult for a fire truck to approach your home
  • If you have a large property, make sure your driveway has a turn around and, when possible, provide two access routes to your home

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
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Contact Us

Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo
9909 Franklin Avenue
Fort McMurray Alberta T9H 2K4

Phone: 780-743-7000

Toll free: 1-800-973-9663

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