Wildfires
Wildfires in urban areas are called interface fires. These can be devastating to properties and critical infrastructure. Wildfires often occur during hot, dry weather when the forest is more susceptible to lightning strikes and human carelessness. Squamish has many forested areas, elevating the potential risk posed by an interface fire.
Wildfire safety is a shared responsibility between fire services agencies, emergency management agencies, provincial and local government, communities, households and individuals.
The District’s Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) provides 48 recommendations to help guide our community in wildfire mitigation and risk reduction initiatives.
These include:
- Forest thinning/fuel treatments
- FireSmart efforts including home assessments and Chipper Days
- All-hazards community evacuation plan
- New Wildfire Development Permit Area guidelines and Wildfire Landscaping Management Bylaw
Click here to view the Community Wildfire Protection Plan.
Be FireSmart:
Nearly half of all wildfires in B.C. are caused by people. Being a resilient community rests on our actions to mitigate this destructive hazard.
- Visit PrepareBC and learn how you can prepare
- Download FireSmart Homeowner's manual and learn how to protect your home
Resources:
- BC Wildfire Service website.
- BC Air Quality website.
- Any health information and precautions related to current conditions are available on the Vancouver Coastal Health website (under "News").
- BC FireSmart manual
- Interface construction and high risk activity regulations
PLEASE CALL 911 TO REPORT ALL FIRES within the District of Squamish. Outside District boundaries, call 1.800.663.5555 or *5555 toll-free on most cell networks.