The FireSmart Zone is the area around your home. When completing FireSmart actions on your property, start at your home and work you

r way outwards. Changes made to the area closest to your home and your home itself will have the greatest impact on reducing the risk of wildfire damage.

Download your copy of the FireSmart Homeowner's Manual to use as reference.

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The immediate zone is a non-combustible area that starts at the home and extends to a 1.5 metre perimeter around it and its attached structures (decks, etc.). This space is the most vulnerable, so it is important to take proactive steps to reduce the potential for wind blown embers to ignite your home

Here are some helpful tips to prepare your home and yard:

• Remove debris such as leaves, twigs, and needles from around the house and under decks.
• Avoid planting woody shrubs or trees in this zone, if any are present prune and maintain regularly.
• Keep lawns mowed and irrigated.
• Choose non-combustible building materials when constructing or renovating (siding/roofing materials).
• Ensure a clean, fire-resistant roof and clean eaves.
• Enclose soffits and vents to ensure embers cannot enter if a wildfire is nearby.
• Firewood piles, propane tanks and combustible furniture should be kept away from the home and from under the deck
• Remember to FireSmart any buildings or fences within 10 metres of the home as well.
   

Download the FireSmart Homeowner's Manual to use as a home reference.

The intermediate zone extends from 1.5–10 metres from the home. Elements in this section should be managed so that they do not transmit fire to your house. Take the following actions within the intermediate zone to reduce the vulnerability of your property.

• Plant fire resistant vegetation and select non-combustible landscaping material.
• Avoid incorporating any woody debris, such as mulch. Consider alternatives such as gravel, river rocks etc.
• Remove combustible items like firewood piles, construction materials, patio furniture tools and decorative pieces.
• Move trailers, recreational vehicles, storage sheds, and other combustible structures into the extended zone. If this is not possible, store firewood inside your garage, shed, or other ember-resistant structures.
• Create a non-combustible ground cover, like a gravel pad, underneath and 1.5 metres around trailers, recreational vehicles, and sheds.

The extended zone occurs between 10–30 metres from the home. In this area the goal is to reduce the fire’s intensity and rate of spread. Here are some important steps you should take if your property extends into this zone:

• Selectively remove evergreen trees to create at least 3 meters horizontal space between the single or grouped tree crown.
• Remove all branches to the height of 2 metres from the ground.
• Regularly clean up accumulations of fallen branches, dry grass, and needles to eliminate potential surface fuels.
• Continue to apply these principles beyond 30 metres if your property spans beyond it.

As many neighbourhoods are densely populated, it is very likely that properties will have extended, intermediate, or even immediate zones that overlap. When neighbours have overlapping zones, the area in which their properties meet share a heightened risk of ignition during a wildland fire. It is critical that you and your neighbours work together to reduce this risk and enhance the resilience of their individual properties and that of the entire neighbourhood.

Many of the FireSmart recommendations relate to the assumption that you have direct control over the property within 30 metres of your home. If that is not the case, chat with your neighbours about FireSmart—share information and consider apply to be a FireSmart Neighbourhood Champion which is part of the FireSmart Canada Neighbourhood Recognition Program. This program recognizes neighourhoods that:

• complete a neighbourhood assessment and FireSmart plan
• organize a local FireSmart committee
• host a FireSmart event, such as a clean-up day
• contribute in-kind or monetary support toward FireSmart actions

Once your neighbourhood team has been formed, a Kamloops Fire Rescue FireSmart representative will meet with you to arrange information and training sessions to help you to become officially recognized as Neighbourhood Firesmart Champion.

Learn more about this program.

Download the FireSmart Homeowner's Manual  and complete the FireSmart Score Card to to see what changes will make the greatest difference in reducing your home’s risk from wildfire.

The FireSmart Homeowner's Manual has many useful tips for preparing your home in order to reduce wildfire risk. Many of these preventative measures cost very little and can potentially reduce fire dangers by a great deal. Others require planning and long-term commitment to change.

Infographic: Quick tips on how to FireSmart your property

Assess your home in just five minutes using the FireSmart Begins at Home app. Download it from the App Store or Google Play. The app will walk you through the steps to help identify specific actions you can take on your property to reduce wildfire risks.

Homeowners and property management companies are invited to call 250-828-3472 to book a free assessment or to submit a request online. A FireSmart community representative will conduct an on-site assessment of your property and will prepare a report with tips for how to make your property more likely to survive a wildfire.