1 / 12

FireSmart Principles

FireSmart Principles. Protecting Your Community from Wildfire. Overview. Introduction Fire Environment Wildland/Urban Interface Strategies FireSmart Construction FireSmart Landscaping Vegetation Management Wildfire Safety Tips FireSmart Lifestyle FireSmart Recognition Program.

alaura
Download Presentation

FireSmart Principles

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. FireSmart Principles Protecting Your Community from Wildfire

  2. Overview • Introduction • Fire Environment • Wildland/Urban Interface • Strategies • FireSmart Construction • FireSmart Landscaping • Vegetation Management • Wildfire Safety Tips • FireSmart Lifestyle • FireSmart Recognition Program

  3. Introduction • Welcome & Introductions – roundtable • Name • Street • Fire experience • Key Facts • Wildfire is inevitable • Land, vegetation and animal populations can thrive after a wildfire • Fire doesn’t have to destroy lives and property WHEN we prepare • Everyone has responsibility in reducing the risk of wildfire

  4. Fire Environment • Fire Triangle • Oxygen • Fuel • Heat • Climate • Dryness • Climate Change • Topography • Elevation • Slope • Vegetation • Fire resistance • Distance • Health • Wind

  5. Wildland/Urban Interface • Interface Zone • Immediate vicinity up to 200 metres from homes • Forest/wildland within 1 kilometre • Human Equation • Used to work with and even create wildfire events to promote healthy vegetation • Moved closer together • Wildland firefighters work hard and are very successful at fighting wildfire • Missing component is community becoming FireSmart http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0iR8o54hDU

  6. Strategies: FireSmart Construction • Roofing • Class-A asphalt shingles or metal are best • Cement or concrete or terra cotta (great fire resistance, not great for earthquakes due to weight) • Clean regularly of leaves and needles • Chimneys • Check for gaps between chimney and roof and siding • Install a spark arrester system • Clean regularly • Walls • Stucco, masonry or cement board are best • Keep clear of combustible materials and vegetation

  7. Strategies: FireSmart Construction • Windows • Tempered glass is best • Double pane is better than single pane • Smaller window sections are better than large ones • Cover windows and skylights with non-flammable screening and shutters • Vents and Eaves • Enclose using wire mesh no larger than 1/8 inch • Connecting Parts • Decks, porches and fences attached to home are fire pathways • Nearby structures can bring fire too close • Keep clear of combustible materials and vegetation

  8. Strategies: FireSmart Landscaping • Building sites • Avoid slopes and, low areas between high ridges on hillsides • Access • Clear addressing easily visible from the road • Roads and driveways accommodate emergency vehicles, space to turn around and two-way access/egress • Fire resistance • High moisture content, drought resistant, non-resinous • Plant spacing • Increase spacing near home and on slopes • Plant height • Lower near home • Tree lower branches removed 6 – 10 feet up from ground

  9. Strategies: Vegetation Management • Fuel Removal • Debris from trees and vegetation • Fuel Replacement • Choose fire resistant plants • Keep them low • Debris Disposal • Compost • Transport to Bings Creek • Burning safely • When is it allowed? • Not on dry, windy days • Venting Index (http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/epd/epdpa/venting/venting.html) • Water and shovels ready for safety and cleanup

  10. Wildfire Safety Tips • Keep radio tuned for updates • Protect your or your family’s lives • Evacuate when directed by law and fire officials • Decide early where you and your pets will go. Pre-plan for livestock, but during a wildfire turn them loose. They’ll take care of themselves. • Put valuable papers and items in your vehicle. • Wear only cotton or wool clothing; long sleeve shirts and long pants. Carry leather gloves, a handkerchief, and water. • Close all doors and windows. • Close drapes to help keep out the heat (glass absorbs heat). • Shut off fuel supplies. • Turn on all lights (makes house more visible in heavy smoke).

  11. FireSmart Lifestyle How To FireSmart Your Home http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VZWwC0PhUk

  12. FireSmart Recognition Program • Contact FireSmart (www.firesmartcanada.ca) by completing the on-line request for a FireSmart representative to contact you. • Help arrange a neighbourhood site visit with the FireSmart representative and a specialist is wildland/urban interface. • Designate a community “champion” to lead a FireSmart Board of neighbours through the process. • Assessment & Evaluation is presented to FireSmart Board with recommendations for consideration. • Create a FireSmart Plan and gain neighbourhood and FireSmart Liaison approval. • Implement Solutions following schedule outlined in FireSmart Plan. Hold FireSmart Communities Day annually to promote and implement FireSmart solutions. • Apply for Recognition. • Renew Recognition Status annually.

More Related