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.


  • Know Your Resource: Alertable Community Notifications

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    During an emergency event, it is important to seek out local and reliable information. The District of Sooke uses Alertable to send emergency notifications to residents.

    You can receive emergency notifications such as an evacuation alert through the mobile app, text, email, or phone call.

    Alterable is free and only takes two minutes to register. Learn more and sign-up here: https://sooke.ca/district-services/departments/protective-services/public-alert-notification-system-pans/

  • Wildfire on the Coast

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    The Coastal Fire Centre has experienced 80 wildfires since April 2022. As coastal communities extend further into the natural landscape and forested areas, our risk of wildfire increases.

    Check out the latest FireSmart BC video showcasing both the BC Wildfire Service and the Dashwood Fire Department about wildfires here on the coast.

    Watch the short video here: https://firesmartbc.ca/resource/fire-on-the-coast/

  • Recent Fire Activity

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    Sooke and many other coastal communities experienced thunderstorms and lightning late last week. This has led to an increase in fire activity with 16 active wildfire incidents in the Coastal Fire Centre.

    Detecting wildfires early is critical for our fire crews to be successful. A fire can remain dormant and undetected for a considerable time after it starts (particularly lightning caused fires) known as holdover fires.

    Although there are a variety of detection methods used, 40% of wildfires in B.C. are reported by the public. If you see a wildfire, report it immediately as it could be a holdover fire. Call 1-800-663-5555 or *5555 on a cellphone.

    Read more about last week’s lightning storms here: https://www.saanichnews.com/news/lightning-sparks-wildfires-on-b-c-coast-electrical-storms-heading-inland/


  • Know Your Resource: Drive BC

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    Are you traveling this summer? Know about current travel disruptions and road closures due to wildfire. Identify alternative routes as changing conditions can impact fire behaviour quickly.

    Do not visit communities that have issued evacuation orders and/or alerts. Avoid driving through areas with active fires. Always drive cautiously and do not stop in an area where there is active fire behaviour.

    If you see a wildfire while driving, report it to the BC Wildfire Reporting line at 1-800-663-5555 or *5555 on a cellphone.

    For current information on road conditions visit: https://www.drivebc.ca/

  • Current Wildfire Activity

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    There has been an increase in wildfire activity over the last month due to dryer and warmer weather in BC. There are currently 50 active fires but eight are classified as “Fires of Note” meaning they are either highly visible and/or threaten the public.

    Learn more about the current wildfire activity in BC here: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/.../wildfire.../wildfire-situation

    Time to be prepared, get FireSmart and stay informed.

  • Give Your Property A Fighting Chance Right Now!

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    It is often too late to plan and prepare for a wildfire when one is already in your community! Give yourself, family, home, and community a fighting chance by learning what you can do right now to prepare and reduce your risk during wildfire season.

    Learn more here: https://firesmartbc.ca/what-you-can-do-now-to-give-your-property-a-fighting-chance/?fbclid=IwAR2D7zoaLghtF7rMpU1Eu1PMQtkt3WvxCWTtlVFSpsKv7lCFBGwA-A864Q8

  • Know Your Resource: BC Wildfire Dashboard

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    View the location and status of all active wildfires in BC with the Wildfire Dashboard. Understanding the stage of control is important as this is how wildfires are displayed on the map.

    An out-of-control wildfire is not responding to fire suppression action and the perimeter spread is not being contained.

    When a wildfire is being held, sufficient suppression action has been taken with the resources currently committed to the fire that it is not likely to spread beyond existing or predetermined boundaries under prevailing and forecasted conditions.

    A wildfire is declared under control once the fire has received sufficient suppression action to ensure no further spread of fire.

    A wildfire is considered out only when the fire has been completely extinguished.

    Review the BC Wildfire Dashboard here: https://governmentofbc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/f0ac328d88c74d07aa2ee385abe2a41b

  • Resources Available at the Sooke Library

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    FireSmart resources are now available at the VI Regional Library Sooke! There is a mix of printed handouts, pamphlets, and guides available for pick-up throughout the summer months.

    FireSmart principles have shown that they are effective at reducing the risk to life and property in the most extreme wildfire conditions. It’s simple and you can get started at little to no cost.

    Learn more with a FireSmart resource and read about fire on our landscape today: https://virl.bc.ca/branches/sooke/?fbclid=IwAR3pz3CFETVxLYxSb7Y1cnyhKxE-nqrk9rV-bpdFX_MS0C7Kuf6a0vRL7fA

  • Wildfire Sprinkler Kits Now Available

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    Available for purchase now at Sooke Fire Rescue for $160 (we pass our fire dept. discount on to residents). It's getting dry out there - protect your home. The WASP Patented Gutter Mount Sprinkler System gets water to the home’s roof and surrounding areas, where it’s needed most during wildfire emergencies. Homeowners in Sooke can now purchase the gutter mount sprinkler system, which had previously only been available to the firefighting community. No gutters? No problem! The Wildfire Protection Kit comes with 2 brackets that you can install so you can use the sprinklers without gutters. Call 250-642-5422 or drop by the firehall 2225 Otter Point Road (admin office in left corner of firehall).

  • Fire Danger Rating HIGH

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    The Fire Danger Rating is now HIGH for the District of Sooke. We are entering the longest spell of warm, dry weather we have had this year. Fires may start easily, burn quickly and challenge fire suppression efforts.

    Campfires are still permitted at this time but be responsible. Keep your campfire small, ensure it has a fuel-free area around it (20 feet from property lines and structures), never leave it unattended, have a water source present at all times and ensure it is fully out (cool to the touch) before leaving the area.

Page last updated: 22 Apr 2024, 03:08 PM