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FireSmart in Tumbler Ridge

What is FireSmart?


-    FireSmart is a national, provincial and municipal initiative to help property owners and communities understand the ways in which wildfire might threaten structures and property located in, and close to, forested and wildland areas, and the steps individuals and communities can take to reduce the susceptibility of buildings and property to fire. For example:

  •  Remove piles of firewood, building materials, tires, etc. from within 10m of homes and structures.
  •  Clear or provide spacing for all plants and other vegetation within 10m of homes and structures.
  •  Ensure that there are no trees or other vegetation overhanging the roof and that gutters are well      
     maintained and free of debris,
  •  When planting new trees consider planting deciduous species such as birch and aspen, or refer to the 
     FireSmart Landscaping Guide      

-    As homeowners, we can all take simple steps to increase our resiliency and reduce the impact of wildfire on our property and in our communities.

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     Try this out – FireSmart 101 empowers residents to take action! Test your skills and improve your knowledge with this free, one-hour course provided by FireSmart Canada. 


     Click on the picture below to watch a short video about FireSmart and You! 




What is the Wildland – Urban Interface? (WUI or “WOO-HEE”)

-    

      The Wildland – Urban Interface, or WUI, is the zone or area where structures and other signs of human development meet with undeveloped forested land and vegetated cover. The WUI is not just a geographic boundary; it's a complex relationship of environmental, social, and economic factors.


The WUI is broken down further into two sub-categories, Interface & Intermix; some areas of Tumbler Ridge fall into each of these categories.

  •       Interface is when there is a clear line of demarcation between residential, business, and public structures and 
     wildland fuels; in these areas, wildland fuels do not generally continue into the developed area.
  •       Intermix is when there is no clear line of demarcation; in these areas, wildland fuels are continuous outside of 
     and within the developed area.

      As a wildfire approaches a community it is fuelled by forested land and vegetation. As the fire enters the WUI and  
 begins to compromise structures, there is a transition period where the fire ceases to be fueled by vegetation and other  wildland fuels, and subsequently evolves to begin consuming “built fuels” such as homes, fences and other 
 infrastructure in our communities. At this stage, these fires are no longer considered wildfires and begin to be broadcast 
 by convention structure to structure ignition. It is at this stage, that diligent FireSmart practices can prove to be the 
 deciding factor in slowing and stopping the spread of the blaze.

          

      Find out more about wildfire behaviour, how wildfires spread in the WUI, and what steps you as a resident and 
 neighbourhood, can take to minimize the impacts of a wildfire in the FireSmart Begins at Home Guide.


Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan

         

      Community Wildfire Resiliency Plans, or CWRP's, are the next generation of municipal planning and emergency response and replace existing Community Wildfire Protection Plans, or CWPP's. CWPP's were introduced in 2004 as part of the Strategic Wildfire Prevention Initiative and served as the primary wildfire risk reduction planning mechanism for British Columbia communities. To better ensure that CWPP's consistently take a comprehensive approach toward wildfire, including risk reduction and resiliency measures, the BC Wildfire Service partnered with the BC FireSmart Committee to develop a new framework for Community Wildfire Resiliency Planning.

    

     These Plans provide the District of Tumbler Ridge with a framework and directives that will be used to review areas of high fire risk and guide the development of emergency plans, emergency response, communication and education programs, bylaw development in areas of fire risk and the management of forest lands adjacent to the community.

   

     FireSmart Resources: