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: Fire Smoke Canada

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    Fire Smoke Canada is an online portal that predicts wildland fire weather and smoke. Interactive forecasts can be seen hourly to understand how wildfire smoke travels. To learn more visit: https://firesmoke.ca/forecasts/current/

    If you or those in your care are exposed to wildfire smoke, consider taking extra precautions to reduce your exposure. Wildfire smoke is a constantly changing mixture of particles and gases which includes many chemicals that can harm your health.

    Signs of wildfire smoke-related illness include eye irritation, runny nose, sore throat, wheezing, mild cough, and headaches. Seek medical attention for more severe symptoms such as shortness of breath, bad cough, dizziness, and chest pain.

    Limit your time outdoors. Stay inside if you have breathing difficulties. Find an indoor place that's cool and ventilated. To learn more, visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/publications/healthy-living/how-prepare-wildfire-smoke.html

  • Provincial State of Emergency

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    We are facing the worst wildfire season in our province’s history with an unprecedented and evolving situation. On August 18, 2023, the Province of B.C. declared a Provincial State of Emergency to support ongoing response and recovery efforts caused by wildfire. Always follow and respect emergency orders including travel restrictions.

    There are many months left of the wildfire season. It’s increasingly important that everyone is staying informed and getting prepared.

    Learn more here: https://www.emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca/provincial-state.../

  • Current Conditions

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    With recent temperatures and extreme heat events across the province, wildfire growth is expected to rise. A dry cold front is forecasted to move into the province creating instability, strong gusting winds, and the potential for dry lightning inland.

    Early detection of wildfires and public reporting will be crucial for initial attack successes on new wildfire starts. Whether staying in the southern Vancouver Island region or traveling, be alert and ready to report any smoke or fire behaviour by calling 1-800-663-5555 or *5555 on a cell phone.

    The BC Wildfire Service has released the following video describing this situation in more detail: https://youtu.be/DHgrCZDgAE8

  • Emergency Wildfire Preparedness Checklist

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    Our Last-Minute Checklist has been updated with new information! Now known as the Emergency Wildfire Preparedness Checklist, we encourage residents to download this resource and familiarize themselves with the steps they can take to be prepared for an emergency.

    In an emergency, the priority is getting out safely. If you have been ordered to evacuate, please do so immediately. The items in the list should only be completed if you have time. If you have not been ordered to evacuate, complete the items on the list and follow PreparedBC for more helpful tips.

    Download the checklist: https://tinyurl.com/3kcd9jhx

    Visit PreparedBC’s website: https://tinyurl.com/37kn957m

  • Tugwell Creek Fire (V62400) Update

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    Update on the Tugwell Creek Fire located 4.5 km NW of Sooke. Crews are continuing to action the fire with support of heavy equipment. The incident is 1.85 hectares in size and was classified as Being Held since yesterday evening meaning the fire is not likely to spread beyond predetermined boundaries under current conditions.


  • Prepare for Wildfire

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    BC is currently facing the worst wildfire season on record, with more than 1.5 million hectares of land lost to the fires burning across the province. As fires continue to burn and spread, preparation has never been more important.

    Know what to do in the event of an emergency and learn about some critical last-minute FireSmart tips that could save your home and property. Take the time to review the latest article from FireSmart BC here: https://firesmartbc.ca/are-you-prepared-for-wildfire/

  • Tugwell Creek Fire (V62400)

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    The Tugwell Creek Fire is located 4.5 km NW of Sooke. Observed fire behaviour this morning is a rank 1, low smoldering ground fire. It is currently out of control and is 1.5 hectares in size. Reported late yesterday afternoon, it was assigned an initial attack crew and an airtanker group in the evening. There are currently 12 personnel and 3 pieces of heavy equipment assigned to the incident.

    Detecting wildfires early is critical. If you see a wildfire, report it by calling 1-800-663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cell phone. Make sure you are prepared in the event of an emergency. Take steps right now to reduce your fire risk and get FireSmart. Learn how here: https://firesmartbc.ca/


  • Alertable 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 Sooke residents.

    Alertable is free and takes less then a minute to sign-up: https://sooke.ca/.../public-alert-notification-system-pans/

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

    We encourage all residents and visitors to sign-up and use the Alertable Notification System to stay informed, stay safe, plan, and save time.

  • Fire Ban & Restrictions Reminder

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    As warm and dry weather continues, everyone needs to be responsible and vigilant. When the fire threat is this severe, it can challenge fire suppression efforts.

    Sending out a reminder that ALL burning and high-risk activities are PROHIBITED within the District of Sooke after receiving several inquiries. During extreme fire rating conditions, and in adherence with the Wildfire Act, high risk activities are prohibited. Learn more about what high risk activities are here: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/.../for.../high-risk-activities...

    Fire prevention is a shared responsibility, human-caused wildfires are completely preventable and divert critical resources away from other response priorities.

  • Be Wildfire Ready

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    There are almost 400 active wildfires in BC right now. Preparing for a potential wildfire in our community doesn’t have to be complicated. Start by having a conversation at home and follow these three basic steps:

    🔥 Be Prepared: Make a plan, and prepared for a wildfire event including an emergency kit and grab-and-go-bags. Learn more here: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-management/preparedbc

    🔥 Get FireSmart: Making your home and property FireSmart can help decrease the intensity and slow the spread of a wildfire. Taking basic steps today can significantly reduce your fire risk. Contact Sooke FireSmart or visit: https://firesmartbc.ca/ to learn more.

    🔥 Stay Informed: Sign-up for Sooke Alertable to receive community wide emergency notifications by phone or text. Signing up takes less then a minute: https://alertable.ca/signup/index.html?site=BC7A#alertMessage


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