FireSmart Program

Reduce Your Wildfire Risk Today

Wildfire risk in Highlands is real. The good news: small, practical steps can make a big difference.
Start with these three actions:

Book a Free Home Assessment with no obligations
Clear excess debris from your roof, gutters, yard, etc.
Keep highly combustible fuels 10+ metres from your home

To book an assessment call the District office at 250-474-1773 or submit a request by email to firesmart@highlands.ca.

FireSmart

FireSmart is crucial for protecting British Columbian communities from the growing threat of wildfires, particularly in urban interface zones where homes and forests intertwine. Just applying the most cost-effective suggestions can notably reduce home ignition potential.

As a trademark of the Canadian Integrated Forest Fire Centre, FireSmart BC is collaboratively managed by stakeholders not limited to BC Wildfire Service, First Nations Emergency Services Society, and Union of BC Municipalities. Rooted in its 7 Disciplines, objectives range from training & equipping fire departments to promoting more resilient planning & development. This framework is based on National Fire Protection Association standards and backed by a vast amount of research.

For more information on how you can stay safe refer to the Emergency Preparedness or Resources tab below.

Emergency Preparedness

Wildfires can develop quickly. Being prepared helps protect you, your family, and your property.

Be ready before an Evacuation Order:

Carry out FireSmart activities well in advance
Prepare an Emergency Kit with food, water, medications, and essentials
Plan where you will go and identify possible exit routes
Know what to prioritize - time and space are limited
Register with Emergency Support Services if you may need assistance

Preventing Home Ignition

Most homes lost to wildfire are ignited by embers - not flames. These embers can travel over 2 km ahead of a fire. Focus on reducing combustible fuels near your home:

Immediate Zone (0–1.5 metres)

Remove flammable materials beside house (mulch, vegetation, stored items)
Install 3mm mesh screens on vents
Select non-combustible surface materials like landscape rock

Intermediate Zone (1.5–10 metres)

Space out deciduous trees and shrubs to reduce fire spread
Prune branches up to 2 metres from the ground
Keep grass under 10cm in length
Avoid volatile fuels like accelerants, firewood, or conifers

Extended Zone (10-30 metres)

Keep volatile fuels to a minimum
Increase spacing between tree crowns
Avoid excessive fuel loading

Home and Structural Improvements

Improving structural resistance to fire can significantly reduce the chance of ignition.

Key upgrades to consider:

Class A or B roofing, siding, and decking materials
Fixing damaged gutters, vents, or siding that create ember traps
Full enclosures OR maximizing open space to reduce ember buildup
Metal doors, multi-pane windows, tight seals/ weather stripping

Structure Protection Sprinklers

Sprinklers can help protect your home but should be considered a secondary measure.

Set them up well in advance of evacuation
Test systems regularly; Asses for wear and tear
Avoid complications with a single rooftop model instead of elaborate systems
Note there is no guarantee they will remain operating during a wildfire

Fuel management around your home should be prioritized.

Local FireSmart Initiatives

The District of Highlands is taking proactive steps to implement the first phase of its FireSmart program. This focuses on solutions that are most practical, including:

Hiring a FireSmart Coordinator
Education & Outreach
Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan
Home & Neighbourhood Risk Assessments
Training Fire Department Personnel

As the program grows and residents become more engaged, additional commitments such as forest fuel treatments and rebate incentives may be pursued. Be mindful that the terrain in Highlands is challenging in terms of both fire behaviour and evacuations.

FireSmart Certified

Residents can work toward FireSmart recognition individually or as part of a group depending on the program they participate in.

Wildfire Mitigation Program (WMP): Focuses on your property with a personalized action plan. Complete all tasks to become certified.
Local FireSmart Collective Program (LFCP): Promotes neighbourhood-level participation that helps keep residents motivated. Offers 4 tiers of certification depending on progress in wildfire risk reduction.

Certification is a milestone achievement that is proven to notably reduce your odds of home ignition. It comes with added perks like lower insurance premiums.

Understanding Wildfire Risk

Fire behaviour depends on three main factors:

Fuel: Quantity and flammability of vegetation or other materials
Weather: Heat, wind, humidity, and drought conditions
Topography: Slope, aspect, and landscape features like water bodies

Fires spread faster uphill, in dense vegetation, and during hot, dry, windy conditions. Homes located in forested or sloped areas face higher risk.

Photo by C. Szmurlo, CC BY 3.0

Wildfire and the Environment

Fuel Modification and Planned Burn

Managing vegetation around the wildland-urban interface is one of the most effective ways to reduce wildfire risk. This can include:

Removing dead or excess vegetation and surface fuels
Thinning trees to improve spacing
Planting less flammable species
Prescribed burns performed by professional agencies
Cultural burns performed by Indigenous Nations

When meticulously planned, burning is preferrable due to both the cost and ecological benefits it offers.

Free Online Courses

Resources

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

FireSmart 101 – FireSmart Canada	Wildfire Risk Reduction Course	FireSmart Ambassador Course