FireSmart

Be 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.

Upcoming Community Chipper Day: 

Date: Sunday, October 4

Locations:

• Depot Road (select addresses)
• Westway Avenue (select addresses) 
• Ash Place (select addresses)
• Balsam Place (select addresses)
• Balsam Way (select addresses)
• Cherry Drive (select addresses) 

Residents of these locations will have received a notice with information on how to participate. 

What's Accepted: 

• Branches and/or shrubs up to 12-13 inches in diameter
• Clean wood

What's Not Accepted: 

• Materials that can be included in weekly organics collection such as grass, weeds, piles of leaves
• Root balls
• Construction waste
• Dirt
• Rocks
• Invasive species

Please leave your materials curbside where it is easily accessible; do not block the sidewalk or road. Please limit your piles to approximately 500ft3 (14m3).

Did you know?

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

(source: https://firesmartbc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Wildfire-Structure-Survival-Statistics.pdf)

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.

 What you can do: 

You and your neighbours have major a 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 protect your home?

Step 1: Complete the FireSmart Home 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: Check local and provincial regulations relating to the actions planned for your property. Open the Regulatory Considerations checklist.

Click to open full version

Some Considerations

• Building permits for major home renovations
• Tree removal permits (considering bird nesting season – zone A1), development permits for environmental protection, and the provincial Riparian Areas Protection Regulation. Riparian areas include lands adjacent to a ditch, and within 30 m of a watercourse or top of ravine bank.
• Consult the Sea to Sky Invasive Species Council when removing and disposing of existing vegetation. Also consider whether any new vegetation that you wish to plant is classified as an invasive species.
• Weekly organics pick up starts in April. Please remember that dumping yard waste is illegal and it substantially increases both the fire load and fire risk to the entire neighbourhood.

What the District of Squamish is doing: 

The District of Squamish has been working towards making Squamish a FireSmart Community. In 2018 and 2019, Squamish Fire Rescue launched the "Community Chipper Days" pilot project. Residents in select neighbourhoods identified in our Community Wildfire Protection Plan as being at a higher wildfire risk were encouraged to FireSmart their property and dispose of tree limbs, branches at the curbside for chipping during specified times.

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

The District of Squamish continues to work towards educating homeowners about FireSmart, particularly in those high-risk areas, in addition to applying FireSmart principals to District green spaces.

The development permit area will help ensure that new buildings will utilize best practices for building on the wildland/urban interface.

The District of Squamish is also working with consultants on fuel mitigation prescriptions and thinning treatments in selected high-risk areas identified in the Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP).

The District of Squamish has received a grant from the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) to carry out the fuel mitigation prescriptions and treatments in 2020-2021.

Suggested timeline of Firesmart actions for residents of Squamish. 
(click image to view larger or open the pdf)

Helpful Resources

 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.

Thinking of renovating or rebuilding? Download the FireSmart Home Development Guide.

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

• District of Squamish Building Permit Guide
• District of Squamish Organic Waste Disposal
• District of Squamish Tree Management
• District of Squamish Wildlife Information
• District of Squamish Environmentally Sensitive Areas map
• Invasive Species Information
• Invasive Species Disposal
• Nesting Information (Zone A1)
• Riparian Areas Regulation Brochure (BC)
• Riparian Areas Protection Regulation (BC)

 What the District of Squamish is doing: 

The District of Squamish has been working towards making Squamish a FireSmart Community. In 2018 and 2019, Squamish Fire Rescue launched the "Community Chipper Days" pilot project. Residents in select neighbourhoods identified in our Community Wildfire Protection Plan as being at a higher wildfire risk were encouraged to FireSmart their property and dispose of tree limbs, branches at the curbside for chipping during specified times.

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

The District of Squamish continues to work towards educating homeowners about FireSmart, particularly in those high-risk areas, in addition to applying FireSmart principals to District green spaces.

The development permit area will help ensure that new buildings will utilize best practices for building on the wildland/urban interface.

The District of Squamish is also working with consultants on fuel mitigation prescriptions and thinning treatments in selected high-risk areas identified in the Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP).

The District of Squamish has received a grant from the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) to carry out the fuel mitigation prescriptions and treatments in 2020-2021.