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.


  • Emergency Preparedness Week 2022

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    Did 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/

  • Communities Urged to be FireSmart

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    BC 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

  • BC Cattle Grazing Pilot Program

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    Take 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/

  • Community Pop Up: Broomhill Park

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    Sooke 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!

  • Community Pop Up: Whiffin Spit

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    Join 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.

  • Earth Week & FireSmart

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    Next 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!

  • Meet Ember, the FireSmart Fox!

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    Meet Ember, the official FireSmart mascot! She makes for the perfect FireSmart messenger because of her unique characteristics, which include alertness, adaptability, intelligence, and community mindedness.

    She helps the community learn how to apply FireSmart principles to their homes, properties, and neighbourhoods. As the wildfire season approaches, expect to see more from Ember this summer!

    Watch Ember's story with your family and household members here: https://vimeo.com/531039180

  • Get FireSmart Podcast

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    Did you know that there is a "Get FireSmart" Podcast? The Get FireSmart Podcast is a place to hear powerful stories and learn valuable lessons from FireSmart leaders across the world.

    These episodes will explore a range of topics, including practical tips around the home to the science behind wildfire prevention and mitigation. You can listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

    Learn more here: https://firesmartbc.ca/introducing-the-get-firesmart-podcast/

  • FireSmart Home Tip: Rake Leaves & Debris

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    Regular yard maintenance and cleaning the corners of your home and yard will leave nothing for traveling embers to ignite. Remove flammable debris such as dry leaves, twigs, and branches.

    Adding a few FireSmart actions to your regular spring yard maintenance will reduce the wildfire risk for your home and property. Remember, changes made within 10 metres of your home will have the biggest impact!

  • FireSmart BC Landscaping Guide

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    Spring is almost here, and you may be starting your gardening and landscaping planning. Ensure your property is FireSmart by following the FireSmart BC Landscaping Guide.

    This guide includes an extensive list of fire-resistant plants, as well as practical, easy-to-implement tips on how to increase your home and property’s resiliency to wildfires.

    Check it out here: https://firesmartbc.ca/resource/landscaping-guide/

Page last updated: 21 Nov 2023, 03:46 PM