FireSmart

Wildfires can quickly spread from the forest to a community, becoming what is known as an “interface fire”. In the interface, where the wilderness and urban development meet, it is crucial that homeowners take the time to FireSmart their properties.
Learn more about FireSmart ™ by visiting FireSmartbc.ca or FireSmart Canada.

FireSmart, Intelli-feu and other associated Marks are trademarks of the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre

View Our Recent Community Workshop

Additional Resource:

Farm/Ranch Wildfire Guide And Workbook

FireSmart Home Ignition Zone Assessments

Stay tuned for future opportunities. For inquiries about FireSmart Home Ignition Zone Assessments please email: firesmart@squamish.ca

Assessments will be by appointment only, take approximately 1 hour and will be based on the FireSmart Home Assessment Score Card and FireSmart Begins at Home Manual. A member of your household must be present during the assessment.

FireSmart Home Assessments provide general recommendations only, to help homeowners reduce their risk from wildfire.

Recommendations provided from FireSmart Home Assessments DO NOT guarantee the elimination of any loss or damage from wildfire.

Aaron Foot FireSmart Testimonial from FireSmartBC on Vimeo.

What you can do

You and your neighbours have a major role to play in reducing the wildfire threat to your home. Changes made to the area closest to your home have the greatest impact on reducing the risk of wildfire damage. Ready to start making changes to your home?

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Steps to a Fire Smart Home

Step 1

Review the FireSmart Home Ignition Zone Assessment or download the FireSmart begins at home app.

Step 2

Identify which changes will make the greatest difference in reducing our home’s risk from wildfire.

Step 3

Connect with your neighbours on how you can work towards achieving a FireSmart Neighbourhood.

Step 4

Check local and Provincial regulations relating to the actions planned for your property. Download the Actions Based on FireSmart Home Assessment checklist.

Step 5

Contact firesmart@squamish.ca if you have any questions.

Did you know?

Nearly half of all wildfires in BC are caused by people.
More than 50% of homes destroyed by wildfire ignited by embers blown by the wind.
85-90% of homes with non-combustible roofs & 10 metres of clearance will survive a major wildfire.

FireSmart is a program developed by FireSmart Canada and FireSmart BC to help homeowners living in or near forested areas identify and address wildfire threats on their property.

FireSmart homes and neighbourhoods allow firefighters to concentrate on fighting wildfires, which ultimately saves more homes and lives. Adopting FireSmart principles to your home and property can help reduce the potential impact of wildfires, and will help firefighters to better defend your home.

Helpful Resources

Learn more about FireSmart

Download FireSmart Homeowner's manual to begin your FireSmart journey and better protect your home.

Watch this brief video for an overview of FireSmart practices and what you can do at home.

Checkout the Get FireSmart podcast.

Renovating or rebuilding

Incorporate FireSmart recommendations into your project:.

Download the FireSmart Home Development Guide.

Landscaping

Find FireSmart plant suggestions for your yard. Download the FireSmart Guide to Landscaping.

Wildfire DPA Compliant Hedge Alternatives Guide

A range of suitable fire-resistant evergreen alternatives to cedar hedging for homeowners.

Wildfire Landscaping Management Bylaw

A Bylaw that protects and regulates landscaping to minimizes risk of wildfire in Squamish.

Tree Management Bylaw

A Bylaw that protects, regulates and prohibits the cutting down, removal, and damaging of Trees and vegetation in Squamish.
Infographic link – Do I need a tree permit?

District of Squamish Community Wildfire Protection Plan

A set of 48 recommendations help reduce the wildfire threat to the community. Learn more about our ongoing efforts at Squamish.ca/wildfires.

Contacts

To inquire about FireSmart initiatives such as booking a FireSmart Home Assessments or upcoming Community Chipper Days, please contact firesmart@squamish.ca.
To inquire about forest thinning work please contact Squamish Fire Rescue at sfr@squamish.ca.
To report a Bylaw concern, please contact 604.815.5067 or complete the form here.
For questions about whether you require a tree permit please contact us Engineering & Environment Services at engineering@squamish.ca or 604.815.5012.

What the District of Squamish is doing?

The District of Squamish is working towards making Squamish a FireSmart Community

Community Chipper Days

In 2018 the District of Squamish Fire Rescue launched the “Community Chipper Days”. Residents in select neighbourhoods identified in our Community Wildfire Protection Plan as being at higher wildfire risk, are encouraged to FireSmart their property and dispose of their tree limbs & branches at the end of their drive or lane for curbside chipping and removal during specified times.

Stay tuned for 2022 Chipper dates and locations.

What’s Accepted/Encouraged:

Combustible vegetation: branches, tree limbs and/or shrubs such as from conifers,
Materials up to 30cm (1 foot) in diameter (Anything larger will not be accepted)
Neatly placed piles
Please Limit piles to approximately a pick-up truck size load

What is NOT Accepted:

Organic materials such as grass, weed and leaves
Root balls
Construction waste, dirt, rock and nails
Invasive species
Machine moved piles (i.e., excavators)
Large piles of leafy (deciduous) vegetation discouraged

Questions? firesmart@squamish.ca

Structural Protection Trailer

In 2018, Squamish Fire made a joint purchase of a structural protection trailer with Whistler Fire Rescue. This trailer is equipped to help protect homes from approaching wildfire threat.

Development Permit Area

The District has created a Wildfire Development Permit Area (DPA) for Squamish to help reduce the risk to public safety, property and the District’s forests from wildfire hazards.

Identified as one of the recommendations from the District's Community Wildfire Protection Plan, the Wildfire DPA would apply to properties that are at risk for wildfire. Development occurring within the Wildfire DPA would be required to obtain a Development Permit and meet a set of guidelines focused on fire-resistive building materials and landscaping

Other landscaping guides and bylaws:

Wildfire DPA Compliant Hedge Alternatives Guide

A range of suitable fire-resistant evergreen alternatives to cedar and yew hedging for homeowners.

Firesmart Landscaping Guide

A guide for choosing and planting fire-resistant trees and shrubs.

Wildfire Landscaping Management Bylaw

A Bylaw that regulates landscaping to minimize risk of fire hazards in yards and neighbourhoods in Squamish.

District of Squamish Community Wildfire Protection Plan

A set of 48 recommendations help reduce the wildfire threat to the community. Learn more about our ongoing efforts at Squamish.ca/wildfires.

Tree Management Bylaw

A Bylaw that protects, regulates and prohibits the cutting down, removal, and damaging of Trees and vegetation in Squamish. Infographic link – Do I need a tree permit?

Contacts:

To inquire about FireSmart initiatives such as booking a FireSmart Home Assessments or upcoming Community Chipper Days, please contact firesmart@squamish.ca.

To inquire about forest thinning work please contact Squamish Fire Rescue at sfr@squamish.ca.

To report a Bylaw concern, please contact 604.815.5067 or complete the form here.

For questions about whether you require a tree permit please contact our Engineering & Environment Services at engineering@squamish.ca or phone 604.815.5012.

Forest Thinning/Fuel mitigation

The District of Squamish is also working with consultants on fire fuel mitigation prescriptions and forest thinning treatments in selected high-risk areas identified in the Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP). The first two projects are located in the Brackendale Farmers' Institute Park and near the Squamish Airport. Learn more.

Pursuing Funding

The District of Squamish continues to pursue available funding opportunities through the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) for FireSmart related initiatives.