FireSmart

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.

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. 

The 2023 next Community Chipper Day is TBD.

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

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.

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.

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. 

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