Prevent the spread of wildfires by practicing FireSmart principles

Summary

City of Nanaimo Fire Rescue is spreading the word about ways residents can prevent or slow the spread of wildfires through implementing “FireSmart” principles.

In the yard, residents can begin with some basic maintenance activities such as keeping grass trimmed below 10 centimetres, sweeping leaves and pine needles from porches and decks and removing leaves and other debris from roofs, gutters, decks, play structures and at least 1.5 metres away from a home’s foundation. Other measures include relocating items stored under decks and porches (IE gas cans) to storage sheds and garages and making sure portable propane tanks are stored at least away 10 metres from the home. Finally, BBQ’s should be maintained prior to using, be aware of clearances near combustibles, and never leave a BBQ unattended while cooking.

A number of resources including videos, landscaping guides and a FireSmart home manual can be found on FireSmart BC's website, www.firesmartbc.ca.

Link to Strategic Plan: A liveable city is a safe city. By applying basic FireSmart principles to your homes and property can help reduce the impact caused by a wildfire event and build community resiliency.

Key Points

  • The City of Nanaimo has been recognized as a FireSmart community.
  • Nanaimo Fire Rescue will support FireSmart community champions to assist them in establishing FireSmart programs in their neighbourhoods.
  • Most brush fires occur in the city due to human carelessness for poorly discarded smoking materials, or not properly extinguished.

Quotes

"Many residents are finding themselves spending more time in their yards right now. This makes it a great time to prepare your home and property for this year’s wildfire season. Practising FireSmart principles has been proven to lessen the impact and damage caused by wildfires."

Assistant Chief of Operations
Nanaimo Fire Rescue
-30-

Contact:

Brad Wood
Assistant Chief of Operations, Local FireSmart Representative
Nanaimo Fire Rescue
250-755-4554

Print News Release

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