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FireSmart to actively work in community

Last Updated Mar 23, 2017 at 6:05 am MDT

PHOTO. Supplied. FireSmart is a national program adopted in communities across Canada aimed at reducing the risk of wildfire in interface zones where the urban setting meets environments prone to wildfire.

The Wood Buffalo Recovery Committee meeting on March 23 saw Dennis Warr, Mitigation Supervisor with the Recovery Task Force present a FireSmart plan.

It will be a five year plan to mitigate risk, protect lives, property and the environment.

It is meant to engage, educated and inform and help establish further planning and funding and long-term partnerships.

Partners include residents, schools, Government of Alberta, FireSmart Canada and the Canadian Red Cross.

To make the community more aware there will be educational materials, FireSmart signage, community events, workshops and a community preparedness day.

They will also discuss some of their past projects that they have completed including the areas of  Conklin, Sicamore Place and Ermine Crescent.

PHOTO. Supplied. Ermine Crescent, located in Thickwood was spared from severe impacts from the 2016 wildfire after FireSmart had done previous work in the area.
PHOTO. Supplied. Ermine Crescent, located in Thickwood was spared from severe impacts from the 2016 wildfire after FireSmart had done previous work in the area.

 

Jeanette Bancarz, Chair of the WBRC was excited about this photo saying that if she didn’t believe in FireSmart she certainly does now after seeing how close the fire came to the neighbourhood of Ermine Crescent.

She also added that although we love our trees, we love our homes too and through FireSmart there is a way we could be sure to have both.

Currently FireSmart is working on projects in Fort Smith, Fort McKay, Fort Chipewyans Mission Creek and ATCO Power Plant, Fort McMurray First Nations Reserve 468, Phase one of Stone Creek and Phase 2A of Birwood Trails.

Home Fire Prevention

There was also a presentation from Regional Emergency Services fire prevention branch.

Fire Prevention Branch Services Include public education, fire inspections, fire investigations and plans review.

They discussed ways homeowners can reduce the impact of a wildfire on their home, starting with the construction.

Construction Site Safety includes a fire safety plan that outlines the importance of fire department and emergency access and no blocking of fire hydrants. Storage and control of flammable liquids, construction materials and reducing fuel loads will also be important for construction sites to follow.

FireSmart at home begins with home ignition and ember spotting versus flame front exposure and the impact of combustible fuel reduction.

To reduce home ignitions FireSmart Canada recommends working together with neighbours and integrating with community and landscape objectives.

There are changes that you can make to your home and the area closest to your home that will reduce the risk of wildfire damages such as regular maintenance and some adjustments to your roof, siding, vents and openings, gutters and eaves, decks and porches, fencing, landscaping and by installing passive and activated fire safety such as smoke detectors and sprinklers.

FireSmart will be in the community to talk more about how residents can FireSmart their home and their yard more this year.