The changing climate and potential drought conditions have increased the risk of wildfires in the province. Wildfires can affect communities near forests or grasslands and urban spaces like ravines and parks, so it is important that residents are equipped with the knowledge and resources to mitigate their risk. Review the below tips from FireSmartâ„¢ Canada on how to mitigate the risks of wildfires in your home and community.
About FireSmartâ„¢: FireSmart Canada is a Canadian program that develops practical, science-based resources to help Canadians increase the resilience of their homes, properties and neighbourhoods against the threat of wildland fire. It was founded to address common concerns about wildland fire in the wildland urban interface. FireSmart Canada is owned by and operated by the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre.Â
Three steps to a cost-effective FireSmartTM HomeÂ
Step 1: Maintain what you’ve got at least twice per yearÂ
- Remove needles, leaves and other debris from gutters, roof surfaces, decks and balconies. Regularly clean vents.
- Remove all combustible ground cover (mulch and plants) within 1.5 m of the house perimeter.•    Remove combustible materials (firewood and lumber) stored
- within 10 m of house perimeter and under decks.
- Mow the lawn to <10 cm and plant low-growing, well-spaced shrubs and other fire-resistant plants.Â
- Prune trees to create a 2 m clearance from the ground to the lowest tree branch.Â
Step 2: Complete simple upgradesÂ
- Replace worn or missing weather stripping on all doors including garage doors.
- Add a non-combustible 3 mm screen to all external vents, except dryer vents.
- Create a 15 cm ground-to siding non-combustible clearance (e.g., install cement board or metal skirting).
- Install non-combustible 5 fencing within 1.5 m of the house (cement fiber, metal, chain link or stone).
- Install non-combustible ground surfaces within 1.5 m of the house (mineral soil, rock, concrete or stone).
Step 3: Complete more complex upgradesÂ
- Install Class A fire-resistant roof covering (e.g., cement fibre, metal or asphalt shingles).
- Install non-combustible siding (stucco, metal, stone, cement fibre board).
- Install multi-pane or tempered glass windows and exterior fire rated doors.
- Retrofit all deck components to be fire-rated, with a continuous surface.
- Remove conifer trees that are within 10 m of the house.
Note: not all actions will be applicable to each home. Completing these steps does not guarantee the prevention of fire.Â
For more information on creating a cost effective FireSmart home, visit firesmartalberta.ca
Last-minute checklist for Protecting Your Home and Property from WildfireÂ
Evacuation Tips:Â
- If ordered to evacuate, do so immediately.Â
- Monitor conditions and follow the advice of local authorities.Â
- Review your evacuation plan for your family and pets. Visit Alberta.ca.MakeAPlan for helpful tips and evacuation plan templates.Â
- Have your emergency kit ready and stocked with cash, portable radio, prescription medications, eye glasses, change of clothes, pet food, flashlights and batteries, etc.Â
- Make sure your phone numbers, insurance information and other important documents for your emergency kit are current.Â
- Visit Alberta.ca/GetSupplies for a more complete list of emergency supplies.
- Before evacuating:Â
- Turn off air conditioning.Â
- Turn off your home water, electricity, and gas.Â
- Close all doors, garage doors and windows. If weather seal or doors have gaps, seal with duct tape.
Quickly address outside surroundingsÂ
- Complete a scan around your home and property and take steps to remove combustibles.
- Remove everything combustible within 10 m of your home, such as toys, patio furniture, cushions, decorative items, firewood, and potted plants that are on and under your deck and within 10 m of your home. Prioritize the first 1.5 m (5 ft) around your home and deck moving outwards from there. Move all combustible items into your shed, home, or garage.
- Remove leaves, pine needles and other debris from your roof and gutters.
- Mow grass and weeds within 10 m of the house to 10 cm in length or less.
- Clear all dead plants, leaves, and weeds within 10 m of your home. Maintain a 1.5 m non-combustible surface around your home and deck by sweeping or raking down to mineral soil, rock, or concrete. Remove all bark mulch within 1.5 m of your home.
- If you have a propane tank located on your property:Â
- Move propane tanks to more than 10 m away from structures.
- Remove weeds and other debris from the area around large stationary propane tanks so there is no combustible material near the tank.
- If you have a combustible fence that attaches to your home:
- Secure the gate in an open position.
- Clear vegetation and debris along both sides of combustible fence lines.
Check around your houseÂ
- Check vents on roof, foundation and exterior walls to prevent embers from entering your home.
- Check your attic and foundation (crawl space) vents to see if they are screened and in good repair. Use duct or metal tape to temporarily cover damaged vents and those with 3 mm mesh screening.
- If you store cardboard boxes and other easily ignited materials near a vent in your attic or crawl space, move them as far away as possible from vent(s). Another option is to place tape over vent(s) at these locations. Be sure to remove tape when you return home.
- Cover dryer vents and wall-mounted make-up air openings for furnaces with a plywood cover, metal tape or duct tape. Be sure to remove plywood, metal tape or duct tape when you return home.
Learn more about preparing for a Wildfire Evacuation at firesmartalberta.caÂ
Home Ignition Zone Self-AssessmentÂ
The Home Ignition Zone (HIZ) is the area within 30 metres of your home and structures. It is made up of three priority areas: The Immediate Zone, Intermediate Zone, and Extended Zone. The HIZ shows how you can minimize your home and property’s vulnerability to wildfire by addressing threats in each of the three priority zones, starting with the most vulnerable area, the Immediate Zone, and working your way outward.
How resilient to wildland fire is your home and property? Walk around your home and answer FireSmart's Home Ignition Zone Self-Assessment. Consider implementing the recommended actions as you perform maintenance and renovations in each of the three Home Ignition Zones.
Take FireSmart's Home Ignition Zone Self-Assessment.
Â