FireSmart
FireSmart Actions in Canmore
FireSmart Wildfire Hazard Reduction
There is currently no FireSmart work in progress.
Protecting our Town from Wildfire
The Town of Canmore is taking a proactive approach to help protect our town from wildfire.
· Canmore is a FireSmart community to help mitigate the threat of wildfire. FireSmart thinning has taken place in numerous locations around Canmore in the past number of years, please see the map above to see where FireSmart burning has been done in Town, as of April 2020.
· The updated pdf Wildfire Mitigation Strategy (3.45 MB) provides a road map for FireSmart activities for the Town 2018 - 2022 and includes an updated hazard assessment, wildland fuel type, wildfire behaviour potential maps, vegetation management options, and FireSmart recommendations.
· Canmore Fire-Rescue received a grant to continue fuel reduction work and access deployable sprinkler lines to help protect community assets.
· The updated pdf Wildfire Mitigation Strategy (3.45 MB) provides a road map for FireSmart activities for the Town 2018 - 2022 and includes an updated hazard assessment, wildland fuel type, wildfire behaviour potential maps, vegetation management options, and FireSmart recommendations.
· Canmore Fire-Rescue received a grant to continue fuel reduction work and access deployable sprinkler lines to help protect community assets.
FireSmart Your Home
The Home Ignition Zone
Homes ignite due to the condition of the home itself and everything that surrounds it out to 100 metres from the foundation.
FireSmart principles are designed to mitigate a home’s vulnerability to wildfire. Working within the home ignition zone begins with the house and then working outwards, undertaking steps to reduce fuel for embers, a surface fire, and large flames. Click here to learn more from FireSmart Canada about how to use FireSmart principles within the 100 metre ignition zone.
FireSmart principles are designed to mitigate a home’s vulnerability to wildfire. Working within the home ignition zone begins with the house and then working outwards, undertaking steps to reduce fuel for embers, a surface fire, and large flames. Click here to learn more from FireSmart Canada about how to use FireSmart principles within the 100 metre ignition zone.
Protect your home from the threat of wildfire
Change your roofing material to non-combustible options such as metal, asphalt, clay, or composite rubber tiles. As of March 2018, all roofs new and repaired roofs in Canmore are to be constructed out of materials with a minimum Class B fire rating.
· Remove debris from your gutters.
· Screen your gutters with metal mesh to reduce the amount of debris that can accumulate.
· Sheath in the base of the decks, balconies, and houses with fire-resistant material.
· Store combustible lawn furniture or deck storage boxes away from your home.
· Avoid the following plants within 10 metres of your home: cedar, juniper, pine, tall grass, spruce.
· Remove dry leaves, twigs and branches from your yard and gutters.
· Do not use bark or pine needle mulches within 10 metres of your home as they are highly combustible. Gravel mulch and decorative crushed rock mulch significantly reduce the risk of wildfire.
· Move your firewood pile away from the side of your home.
· Remove tree branches within 2 metres of the ground will help stop surface fires from moving into the treetops.
· Remove debris from your gutters.
· Screen your gutters with metal mesh to reduce the amount of debris that can accumulate.
· Sheath in the base of the decks, balconies, and houses with fire-resistant material.
· Store combustible lawn furniture or deck storage boxes away from your home.
· Avoid the following plants within 10 metres of your home: cedar, juniper, pine, tall grass, spruce.
· Remove dry leaves, twigs and branches from your yard and gutters.
· Do not use bark or pine needle mulches within 10 metres of your home as they are highly combustible. Gravel mulch and decorative crushed rock mulch significantly reduce the risk of wildfire.
· Move your firewood pile away from the side of your home.
· Remove tree branches within 2 metres of the ground will help stop surface fires from moving into the treetops.
Book a Free FireSmart Property Assessment
To help our citizens recognize the simple steps they can take to reduce the impact of wildfires before they occur, Canmore Fire-Rescue now offers free FireSmart Home/Property Visits for property assessment and risk evaluation of the exterior of your home.
A Canmore Fire-Rescue team member will meet with you for approximately 60 minutes outside your home to conduct the assessment. You’ll be provided with personalized recommendations you can use to make your property more wildfire resistant
A Canmore Fire-Rescue team member will meet with you for approximately 60 minutes outside your home to conduct the assessment. You’ll be provided with personalized recommendations you can use to make your property more wildfire resistant
Please complete the FireSmart Assessment Request form and a member from our Fire team will contact you to schedule an appointment.
Resources
pdf
FireSmart Homeowners Assessment Booklet
(2.75 MB)
pdf
FireSmart Homeowners Manual
(8.20 MB)
pdf
FireSmart Canada Home Development Guide
(1.85 MB)
pdf
FireSmart Guide to Landscaping
(1.74 MB)
