Sooke FireSmart Program

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British Columbia has experienced unprecedented wildfire seasons in recent years. The changing climate, higher temperatures and drought conditions are all leading causes of aggressive fire behaviour and longer wildfire seasons. Living in a fire-prone ecosystem means we must implement wildfire mitigation strategies to reduce our wildfire risk and protect our community.

Fires on the coast can be vigorous especially in steep/difficult terrain and/or in drought-stricken areas. Lightning storms and water shortages are becoming more common during the summer months and impact both fire behaviour and response operations on the coast.

Preparing for the threat of wildfire is a shared responsibility from homeowners, to businesses to government. We all have the responsibility to reduce our risk and increase our wildfire resiliency.

What is the Risk? The Wildfire Risk Framework used in BC supports initiatives related to wildfire risk reduction. The largest threat to Sooke is wildfire as our community is currently classified in the highest risk category.

This framework measures risk and considers the likelihood of a wildfire event, community consequences, and impacts to high-value resources and assets. By identifying these risk levels, we can prioritize mitigation efforts and increase community resiliency to wildfire.

What is the Structure Ignition Problem? Many homeowners falsely assume there is no wildfire threat to their home and property if not directly on the forest’s edge or in contact with flames. Embers and burning debris can easily travel up to two kilometers ahead of a wildfire and ignite materials on or near your home. This can cause severe damage or total home loss.

Most homes destroyed during a wildfire event are from embers, and surface fires that have not yet reached the crown of the trees. Once homes or adjacent materials begin burning, these residential fuels burn at a higher intensity. The fire will then continue to spread rapidly throughout the community igniting multiple structures simultaneously through direct flame, radiant heat, and casting of shorter ranged embers. No longer influenced by the original wildfire, this urban fire will continue to burn residential fuels and flammable materials.

What is FireSmart? Being FireSmart is about living and co-existing with wildfires because it’s not a matter of if, but when. It’s a tool designed to reduce the likelihood of large uncontrollable, high intensity wildfires within the Wildland Urban Interface.

Recent science and studies have shown that overtime, FireSmart principles can significantly reduce the risk related to losses in the most extreme wildfire conditions. Laboratory testing, physical modeling and recent wildfire events have increased our understanding of structural ignitions and fire behaviour such as radiant heat transfer and the flammability of different building materials.


British Columbia has experienced unprecedented wildfire seasons in recent years. The changing climate, higher temperatures and drought conditions are all leading causes of aggressive fire behaviour and longer wildfire seasons. Living in a fire-prone ecosystem means we must implement wildfire mitigation strategies to reduce our wildfire risk and protect our community.

Fires on the coast can be vigorous especially in steep/difficult terrain and/or in drought-stricken areas. Lightning storms and water shortages are becoming more common during the summer months and impact both fire behaviour and response operations on the coast.

Preparing for the threat of wildfire is a shared responsibility from homeowners, to businesses to government. We all have the responsibility to reduce our risk and increase our wildfire resiliency.

What is the Risk? The Wildfire Risk Framework used in BC supports initiatives related to wildfire risk reduction. The largest threat to Sooke is wildfire as our community is currently classified in the highest risk category.

This framework measures risk and considers the likelihood of a wildfire event, community consequences, and impacts to high-value resources and assets. By identifying these risk levels, we can prioritize mitigation efforts and increase community resiliency to wildfire.

What is the Structure Ignition Problem? Many homeowners falsely assume there is no wildfire threat to their home and property if not directly on the forest’s edge or in contact with flames. Embers and burning debris can easily travel up to two kilometers ahead of a wildfire and ignite materials on or near your home. This can cause severe damage or total home loss.

Most homes destroyed during a wildfire event are from embers, and surface fires that have not yet reached the crown of the trees. Once homes or adjacent materials begin burning, these residential fuels burn at a higher intensity. The fire will then continue to spread rapidly throughout the community igniting multiple structures simultaneously through direct flame, radiant heat, and casting of shorter ranged embers. No longer influenced by the original wildfire, this urban fire will continue to burn residential fuels and flammable materials.

What is FireSmart? Being FireSmart is about living and co-existing with wildfires because it’s not a matter of if, but when. It’s a tool designed to reduce the likelihood of large uncontrollable, high intensity wildfires within the Wildland Urban Interface.

Recent science and studies have shown that overtime, FireSmart principles can significantly reduce the risk related to losses in the most extreme wildfire conditions. Laboratory testing, physical modeling and recent wildfire events have increased our understanding of structural ignitions and fire behaviour such as radiant heat transfer and the flammability of different building materials.


  • Wildfire Safety Tips

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    The wildfire season has arrived and it’s time to learn about how to be best prepared. It is often too late to plan and prepare for a wildfire when one is already in your community!

    Here are some safety tips when living in a wildfire-prone area: https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2023/05/30/wildfire-season-lasts-until-october-here-are-safety-tips-if-you-live-in-or-are-planning-a-trip-to-a-wildfire-prone-zone.html?rf

  • FireSmart Begins at Home Manual

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    FireSmart follows the Home Ignition Zones which consist of the home itself, and concentric priority zones that surround it up to 30 meters from the foundation. You always want to start with the home (top-down approach) and then work your way outwards.

    The FireSmart Begins at Home Manual shows how you can minimize your home and property’s vulnerability to wildfire in each zone. Download the latest FireSmart Begins at Home Manual here: https://firesmartbc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/05.30.23_BeginsatHomeGuide_Web.pdf

  • Fire Danger Rating High

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    The Fire Danger Rating is now HIGH for the District of Sooke. Forest fuels are dry and fire risks are serious. Fires may start easily, burn quickly, and challenge fire suppression efforts.

    Campfires are still permitted, but keep your campfire small, and always have a water source present. Never leave a campfire unattended. Before you leave the area, your campfire MUST be fully extinguished. The ashes of your fire must be cool to the touch.

  • Free Broom Drop-Offs

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    Broom is not only invasive, harming native plants and threatening coastal biodiversity, but can be a significant fire risk. It’s highly flammable, making it a hazard everywhere, especially along highways, in power line corridors, and in dry forest areas.

    Free broom drop-offs start this Saturday! From May 27 to June 17, Sooke residents can bring their cut broom to the Parks Yard (2070 Kaltasin Road) on Saturdays only from 1:00-4:00 pm.

    Learn more here: https://sooke.ca/free-scotch-broom-drop-off-available-for-sooke-residents/

  • Month of May

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    The month of May has seen unseasonably dry conditions so far which as resulted in 26 wildfires with a total of 83 hectares burned within the Coastal Fire Centre.

    This is a reminder that the Backyard Burning season is CLOSED. Anyone found in contravention of an open-burning prohibition may be fined. Human-caused wildfires are completely preventable and divert critical resources away from naturally caused fires.

    Although campfires are still permitted, always practice safe and responsible fire use. Never leave your campfire unattended and always have a water source present.

  • Youth Community Clean-Up

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    Broom is not only invasive, harming native plants and threatening coastal biodiversity, but can be a significant fire risk. It’s highly flammable, making it a hazard everywhere, especially along highways, in power line corridors, and in dry forest areas.

    Yesterday, a youth community clean-up of “FireSmart Champions” targeted the species along highway 14 near Lazzar and Idlemore Road. Students from Edward Milne Community School paired up with Sooke FireSmart and Broom Busters to cut and remove broom in the area.

    A huge thank you to everyone involved in making this event happen including all the students, teachers, and the District of Sooke’s communication and parks department.

    Learn more about Sooke Firesmart here: https://letstalk.sooke.ca/firesmart

    Learn more about Sooke Broom Busters here: https://www.broombusters.org/sooke/

  • Fire Danger Rating Moderate

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    The Fire Danger Rating is now MODERATE for the District of Sooke. Forest fuels are drying and there is an increased risk of surface fires starting. As warm and dry conditions continue, perform all forest activities with caution.

    Campfires are still permitted, but keep your campfire small, and always have a water source present.

    Do not have a campfire when windy, choose a proper fire pit or make a ring of rocks at least three meters from trees, shrubs, structures, and debris, and do not leave a campfire unattended for ANY amount of time.

    Before you leave the area, your campfire MUST be fully extinguished. The ashes of your fire must be cool to the touch.

  • Free Broom Drop-Offs

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    Did you know that broom is highly flammable and can pose a significant fire risk? Working to remove the species can have a big impact on mitigating our wildfire risk in the Sooke community.

    Free broom drop-off events are back this year! Sooke residents are invited to bring broom to the Parks Yard at 2070 Kaltasin Road on Saturday afternoons, 1:00-4:00 pm from May 27 to June 17.

    Learn more here: https://sooke.ca/free-scotch-broom-drop-off-available.../


  • Warmer Weather Continues

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    As the warm weather continues, it’s important to remember that too much heat can be harmful to your health. Heat-related illnesses such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion, or heat stroke, are the result of your body gaining heat faster than it can cool down.

    Stay safe, keep hydrated, spend time in cooler spaces and check-in with family and friends. Learn more about how to prepare for warmer weather here: www.preparedbc.ca/extremeheat

  • Be Prepared

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    Emergencies can happen at anytime, and being prepared can make all the difference. Take the time this week to complete the following:

    ✅ Know the hazards and understand what the risks are in our community.

    ✅ Make an emergency plan and ensure all members of the household know the plan.

    ✅ Build or refresh your “Grab and Go” bag for your household.

    Learn more about emergency planning online here: https://sooke.ca/district-services/departments/protective-services/emergency-planning/

Page last updated: 02 Jun 2023, 03:48 PM