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.


  • Home Ignition Zones

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    An important piece of the FireSmart program is understanding the Home Ignition Zones which consist of the home itself, and three concentric priority zones that surround it.

    Learn about the FireSmart Home Ignition Zones here: https://firesmartbc.ca/reso.../firesmart-home-ignition-zone/ which can make a significant difference to the survivability of structures by decreasing the intensity of a wildfire and slowing its spread. Begin with the home and then work outwards!

  • Review of the 2021 Wildfire Season

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    Last wildfire season was challenging and one of our driest summers on record. More and more communities around the province are embracing FireSmart principles and becoming more resilient to wildfires. Let’s prepare now and get FireSmart today.

    Here is a review of the 2021 wildfire season: https://fb.watch/aECSspuUbx/

  • FireSmart Home Tip: Move Firewood Piles

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    Are you preparing your property and storing wood piles for the winter months? It’s important to store these wildfire fuel sources 10-30 metres away from your home to ensure it has a greater chance of surviving a wildfire.

    Whether you are building protection for your home today, or preparing for the next wildfire season, it’s never a wrong time to make the effort to FireSmart your home.

  • FireSmart New Year's Resolution

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    Add FireSmarting your home to your New Year’s resolutions this year! Learn how easy it is to build and maintain protection on and around your home by visiting www.firesmartbc.ca.

    Now is the time to make a FireSmart plan for your home. Work through FireSmart principles and home tips throughout this winter and spring to prepare for the upcoming wildfire season.

  • What We Heard: Fall 2021 FireSmart Community Feedback

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    Thanks to the funding from the Union of British Columbia Municipalities and their FireSmart Economic Recovery Fund grant, the District of Sooke is developing a FireSmart program. From October 15 to November 7, 2021 we asked residents how we can best assist them in becoming more FireSmart. Read the What We Heard Report and view the table below to see what we have identified as the next steps based on your input.

    What We Heard
    What We Are Doing
    Most submissions noted that more FireSmart information and resources are needed for homeowners and the community.

    Online information, resources, and program updates are provided regularly on:
    How do community members that do not have access to online materials receive print resources?

    The FireSmart program will continue to coordinate and plan for “Community Pop-Ups” around Sooke to provide printed resources and discuss FireSmart principles.

    Anyone interested in printed FireSmart resources can visit Sooke Fire Rescue in-person and speak with the FireSmart Coordinator.
    I am interested in participating in a FireSmart Information session to learn more about how I can protect my home and property from wildfire but would prefer this to be online.

    The FireSmart program is currently planning to provide FireSmart Information sessions online in the new year of 2022. Subscribe to the District’s e-newsletter to be notified of an upcoming session: sooke.ca > online services > subscribe
    I am interested in participating in a FireSmart Information session to learn more about the program but would prefer to have one in-person. The FireSmart program is considering in-person information sessions in the Spring of 2022. We will continue to monitor the status of COVID-19 and follow public health orders and restrictions.
    How do you remove yard waste and woody debris other than backyard burning? We are currently investigating alternative options for property owners and their yard waste/debris removal. If you need to perform an activity that creates woody debris, there are alternatives to backyard burning. This includes grass-cycling, composting, chipping, mulching, curbside pick-up, and hauling. There are several locations in the CRD to bring excess material to a transfer station including A&P Garbage Disposal & Recycling, and Sooke Soil.
    How do I hear about FireSmart program updates or ask questions?

    FireSmart program updates will be posted through online messaging. Anyone can submit questions through Let’s Talk Sooke, email: firedept@sooke.ca or call 250.642.5422 to learn more.
    How do I start or know where to begin with FireSmarting my home and property?

    There are numerous resources online to support anyone getting started with FireSmart. However, the Sooke FireSmart program is offering FREE FireSmart Home Assessments where we can make specific recommendations to your property. Schedule a FireSmart Home Assessment by contacting Sooke Fire Rescue at 250.642.5422 or emailing firedept@sooke.ca.

  • FireSmart Home Tip: Maintain Trees

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    A surface fire can climb up into trees quickly. Removing branches within 2 metres from the ground can stop fires from spreading into the treetops. Always trim branches that overhang your roof.

    You can prune dead branches at any time of the year, but it is best to prune coniferous trees in the late winter when they are dormant. Prune close to the tree trunk, but not so close it will damage the main trunk or bark of the tree.

  • Why We Focus on Embers

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    Many homeowners falsely assume there is no wildfire threat to their home and property if not on the forest’s edge. However, it is estimated that more than half of home fires during a wildfire event are ignited by traveling embers.

    It has been documented that wildfire embers have traveled up to 17 kilometers. It’s time to think about more than the forest’s edge, but what is 17 kilometers from your home? Learn how to protect your home from embers and become FireSmart today!

    Learn more about why we focus on embers here: https://firesmartbc.ca/why-we-focus-on-embers/

  • FireSmart Home Tip: Assess Your Roof

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    The roof is the most vulnerable component of your home. Sparks and embers can travel up to 2 km ahead of a wildfire and ignite combustible materials on or near your home. Keep up with roof maintenance, clean often and keep free of leaves and woody debris.

    The most fire-resistant roofing materials are metal, asphalt shingles, concrete, and clay roof tiles. Up to 90% of homes with non-combustible roofs and 10 metres of clearance will survive a major wildfire.

  • Floods & Wildfires

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    Wildfires can have a long-lasting impact on our community and landscape. With an increase in the amount of land burned from the summer, wildfire can be a leading contributor for making a heavy rainfall event worse.

    Greater intensity fires can leave the ground charred and barren, where water is unable to be absorbed. As the ground soil repels water, this can increase the risk of flash flooding and landslides around the province.

    Learn more: Why are the B.C. floods so bad? Blame the wildfires, at least in part | CBC News

  • Erin's FireSmart Testimonial

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    Learn how a BC woman saved her home from wildfire last summer and what crucial lessons this story offers here: https://firesmartbc.ca/bc-womans-story-about-how-she-saved-her-home-from-wildfire/

    It’s time to plan ahead Sooke! Get FireSmart today!

Page last updated: 03 Jul 2024, 04:24 PM