Sooke FireSmart Program

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.

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.

BC Wildfire Risk High

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With the lack of rainfall for August and September, the fire danger rating and wildfire risk remains high in many communities. There are 44 active wildfires in the Coastal Fire Centre and a total of 168 across BC. With wildfire season far from over, it’s important to get FireSmart! Read more about the driest summers on record here: https://globalnews.ca/news/9140574/bc-dry-summer-2022-wildfire-risk/
Free Chipping Day Otter Point Event

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Free FireSmart Chipping Event!
Regular yard maintenance is essential to having a FireSmart home and property. Clearing and chipping branches and shrubs will help reduce your wildfire risk.
In collaboration with Otter Point Fire Department and the CRD, Sooke residents are welcome to bring their branches and shrub trimmings to Camp Barnard at 3202 Young Lake Road this Sunday, September 25th from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
ONLY tree branches, small woody shrubs and windfall branches will be accepted at this event and must be between 2.5 cm (1 inch) to 17 cm (7 inches) in size.
Learn more about this event here: https://otterpointfire.bc.ca/firesmart-drop-off-chipping-event/
Know Your Resource: Fire Smoke Forecast

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Many coastal communities including Sooke has experienced smoky skies from wildfire events in the past few weeks.
The BlueSky Canada smoke forecast provides a great estimate of when and where wildfire smoke events may occur.
Check out https://firesmoke.ca/ to learn more about where wildfire smoke is traveling across BC.
Campfire Ban Lifted

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The CAMPFIRE BAN IS BEING LIFTED for the Coastal Fire Centre effective noon today.
Out of Control Wildfires

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As the Flood Falls Trail wildfire continues to burn near Hope and other fires of note continue to impact our landscapes and communities, its critical residents follow all evacuation orders and alerts. For those that do have the time, there are some quick FireSmart steps you can take to prepare your property.
Learn more at www.firesmartbc.ca and follow BC Wildfire Service for all fire operation related updates.
Fire Smoke Tips

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Our region continues to experience smoky skies as local wildfires grow in Hope, Manning Park and in western Washington. Smoke may vary as winds and temperatures change, and as wildfire behaviour changes.
For information on wildfire smoke, including tips to protect yourself and your family, visit: http://ow.ly/8vMN50KGonV
Temperature Records on the Coast

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Five new record high temperatures experienced for communities in our coastal region. Hot and dry weather conditions are significantly contributing to the growth of the late-season wildfires.
Read more here: https://bc.ctvnews.ca/5-b-c-communities-saw-record-high-temperatures-saturday-1.6064118
Wildfire Smoke Exposure

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Local fire activity will continue to cause hazy conditions, and smoke conditions may worsen later today depending on fire behaviour and weather conditions.
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.
Stay inside if you have breathing difficulties. Find an indoor place that's cool and ventilated. Using an air conditioner that cools and filters air may help. If you open the windows you may let in more polluted air. If your home isn't air-conditioned, consider going to a public place (library, shopping mall, recreation centre) that is air-conditioned.
Learn more here: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/.../air-land.../air/air-quality/aqhi
Campfire Ban

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This is a reminder that a campfire ban is still in effect for the District of Sooke. Yesterday, the campfire prohibition was only lifted for the North Island Central Coast Forest District. Please note that the backyard burning season opens November 1^st.
This campfire ban does not apply to cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes, or portable campfire devices that use briquettes, liquid, or gaseous fuel, provided they are CSA or ULC approved, and the height of the flame is less than 15 centimetres.
Human-caused wildfires are completely preventable and divert critical resources away from lightning-caused fires. To report a wildfire, call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cell phone.
Know Your Resource: Last-Minute Wildfire Checklist

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If your safety could be threatened by a wildfire, it's important to be prepared by knowing the essential steps in an evacuation plan.
Review all tips in the Last-Minute Checklist to evacuate safely and to protect your home and property during a wildfire event.
Download the Last-Minute Wildfire Checklist here: https://firesmartbc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/FireSmartCanada-Evacuation-Checklist.pdf