Wildfire Prevention - FireSmart
What is FireSmart?
Being FireSmart is about living and co-existing with wildfires because it’s not a matter of if, but when. British Columbia has experienced one of the driest and most active wildfire seasons on record. The changing climate, higher temperatures and drought conditions are all leading causes of aggressive fire behaviour and longer wildfire seasons.
It’s a tool designed to reduce the likelihood of large uncontrollable, high intensity wildfires within the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) zone which is the transition between infrastructure meets the natural landscape. And overtime, FireSmart principles have shown to be effective at reducing the risk related to losses in the most extreme wildfire conditions.
FireSmart is about increasing our community resiliency to wildfire. Sooke Fire Rescue is launching a FireSmart program to help educate and support residents to reduce wildfire risk on their property and within the community.
Sooke FireSmart Group
Join our Sooke FireSmart Group where you will receive monthly email updates about the local program including online resources to help build our community resilience to wildfire. Review the most recent Sooke FireSmart Update.
What is FireSmart?
Being FireSmart is about living and co-existing with wildfires because it’s not a matter of if, but when. British Columbia has experienced one of the driest and most active wildfire seasons on record. The changing climate, higher temperatures and drought conditions are all leading causes of aggressive fire behaviour and longer wildfire seasons.
It’s a tool designed to reduce the likelihood of large uncontrollable, high intensity wildfires within the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) zone which is the transition between infrastructure meets the natural landscape. And overtime, FireSmart principles have shown to be effective at reducing the risk related to losses in the most extreme wildfire conditions.
FireSmart is about increasing our community resiliency to wildfire. Sooke Fire Rescue is launching a FireSmart program to help educate and support residents to reduce wildfire risk on their property and within the community.
Sooke FireSmart Group
Join our Sooke FireSmart Group where you will receive monthly email updates about the local program including online resources to help build our community resilience to wildfire. Review the most recent Sooke FireSmart Update.
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Sooke Wildfire Community Preparedness Day
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkJoin Sooke Wildfire Preparedness Day this Saturday, May 28, 2022! Located at the Sooke Country Market near the municipal hall from 10:00 AM-2:00 PM. Learn how to become FireSmart and reduce your risk from wildfire.
Preparing for the threat of wildfire is a shared responsibility. From homeowners to businesses to government - we all have the responsibility to reduce the impacts of wildfire within our community. It’s time to get FireSmart about wildfires in BC: https://vimeo.com/314570685
Learn more here: https://sooke.ca/events/event/sooke-wildfire-community-preparedness-day/
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Free Broom Drop Off
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkFree Broom Drop Off Today!
Did you know that Scotch broom is highly flammable and can pose a fire hazard? Sooke FireSmart and the Parks Department have worked together to offer free broom drop offs for Sooke residents.
Bring your cut broom to the drop off station at the District of Sooke Parks Yard at 2070 Kaltasin Road today from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
Learn more here: https://sooke.ca/free-broom-drop-off-available-for-sooke.../
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Sooke Wildfire Community Preparedness Day
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkJoin Sooke Wildfire Preparedness Day on Saturday, May 28, 2022! The wildfire response season has already started and there is no better time to get informed and take action to help protect your home and property.
Located at the Sooke Country Market near the municipal hall from 10:00 AM-2:00 PM. Learn how to become FireSmart and reduce your risk from wildfire.
Grab some FireSmart resources and play a FireSmart game. Book a free FireSmart Home Assessment for a chance to win some FireSmart prizes! Learn more here: https://sooke.ca/events/event/sooke-wildfire-community-preparedness-day/
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FireSmart Home Assessment
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkDid you know that Sooke Fire Rescue offers free FireSmart Home Assessments? A Local FireSmart Representative will be able to complete an on-site assessment and provide an action report on how to best protect your home and property against wildfire.
All Sooke residents who book an assessment by July 2, 2022, will have a chance to WIN some FireSmart prizes! The prizes include a WASP Wildfire Protection Kit to protect your home from travelling embers and sparks. And a FireSmart Garden Kit that will help you create a FireSmart yard.
Book an assessment online today: https://calendly.com/sooke/firesmart?month=2022-05
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Emergency Preparedness Week 2022
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkDid you know that it’s Emergency Preparedness Week? Natural disasters may be beyond our control, but there are ways to reduce the risk and the impact of whatever emergency we might face.
Join the Sooke Emergency Support Services team and FireSmart at the Sooke River Flats for Duck Day on Saturday, May 7th from 11:00-2:00 PM. Learn how to prepare for any emergency event and how to take those first steps to become more FireSmart!
We will be easy to find, just look for the Fire Truck! Each visitor will get a ticket for a CHANCE TO WIN an Earthquake Kit or WASP Wildfire Sprinkler Protection Kit!
Learn more about Emergency Preparedness Week here: https://sooke.ca/events/event/emergency-preparedness-week-may-1-7-2022/
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Communities Urged to be FireSmart
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkBC recorded 68 wildfires last month! The following article shows how important it is to become Fire Smart and prepare for the 2022 wildfire response season right now.
Read more here: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/communities-urged-to-be-firesmart-1.6428445
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BC Cattle Grazing Pilot Program
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkTake a look at how some communities in BC are participating in this innovative pilot program in partnership with the BC Cattlemen’s Association. Cattle grazing is being used to reduce fine fuels located in forested areas near homes and communities.
Learn more about how these communities are lowering their wildfire risk here: https://globalnews.ca/.../b-c-cattle-helping-wildfire-risk/
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Community Pop Up: Broomhill Park
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkSooke FireSmart will be joining the Community Clean Up at Broomhill Park today (2280 Pyrite Drive) from 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM.
Teams of volunteers are already out removing invasive plants and cleaning up Helgesen Stream area. Tools and gloves are available. Please bring your own equipment if you have it and come celebrate Earth Week!
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Community Pop Up: Whiffin Spit
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkJoin Sooke FireSmart at the Bucket Brigade Pilot Program kick-off at Whiffin Spit right now! Come down this morning until 11:30 AM to learn more about FireSmart.
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Earth Week & FireSmart
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkNext week, Sooke FireSmart will be joining local activities during Sooke Earth Day Celebrations from April 19-23, 2022. Share our appreciation of the natural environment and how we can protect our community for future generations!
Tuesday, April 19
Sooke FireSmart will be joining the Bucket Brigade Pilot Program kick-off at Whiffin Spit! Come down in the morning from 09:30-11:30 AM to learn more about FireSmart.
Wednesday, April 20
Learn about the threat of wildfire within our local community in a FireSmart Information Session from 10:00-11:30 AM. Advance sign up required here: https://forms.office.com/r/1bmXjM1N4X
Friday, April 22
Sooke FireSmart will be joining the Community Clean Up at Broomhill Park (2280 Pyrite Drive) from 9:30-1:30 PM. Come down and learn about how to be more FireSmart!
BC Wildfire Reporting Line
To report a wildfire or irresponsible behaviour that could start a wildfire in British Columbia, please call 1-800-663-5555 or *5555 (from a cell phone) as soon as possible.
Fire that is an immediate threat to life or property, always call 9-1-1.
Key Dates
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May 21 2022
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May 28 2022
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June 04 2022
FireSmart Information Sessions
Join Sooke FireSmart in an upcoming FireSmart Information Session. Learn about the threat of wildfire within our local community. Topics include wildfire risk and behaviour, the wildland interface zone, what is FireSmart, FireSmart principles, how to protect where you live (home and property) and how we all can increase community resiliency.
- Sign up for an information session online or call 250.642.5422.
FireSmart Home Assessment
Did you know that Sooke Fire Rescue offers free FireSmart Home Assessments? A Local FireSmart Representative will provide an on-site assessment and create an action report of steps you can take to protect your home and property from wildfire. An assessment can take approximately 30-60 minutes and you can learn valuable tips to improve the safety around your home.
- Book a free Home Assessment online(External link) or call 250.642.5422.
Emergency Preparedness
Sooke FireSmart
BC FireSmart
Wildfire Information
Fire Bans & Burning Regulations
Who's Listening
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FireSmart Coordinator
AAPhone 250-642-5422 Email aaktarian@sooke.ca -
Communications Coordinator
CMPhone 2506421634 (678) Email cmoog@sooke.ca