Category: Fire Smart

Protect your Home from Wildfire

BC is currently in the midst of the worst wildfire season in history. The ongoing presence of wildfire throughout the province, as well as the growing threat throughout the Central Okanagan, reminds us that we need to act now to prevent devastating losses to our own community. There are many steps that you can take around your own homes to help protect them in the event of a wildfire. This includes removing any coniferous vegetation that is in close proximity to your home, keeping your roof and gutters clean, and bringing in all patio furniture and cushions in the event of an evacuation alert. 

Following evacuation orders and alerts and getting ready before a wildfire disaster strikes can make a world of a difference. While facing devastating losses in nearby communities it is important to remain proactive in our own. We have attached more resources that you may find helpful at this time. The best thing to do now is prepare. Prepare yourself and your family, your pets, and your property for the possibility of wildfire in our own community. Preparing a grab-and-go bag and knowing your evacuation routes are just a few ways to make sure you’re ready.

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How BC Wildfire Service responds to wildfires: Structure protection

BC Wildfire Service firefighting crews are not trained or equipped to fight structural fires. However, we can deploy structure protection specialists whose function is to help protect homes and other types of buildings that may be threatened by wildfire.

Read more about this on the BC Wildfire Website

Lessons from the Lytton fire

Publishing Date

September 12, 2022
Source: Union of BC Municipalities – Latest News

Wildfire is “inevitable, appropriate and essential” stated Dr. Jack Cohen, retired Research Scientist from US Forest Service, at a UBCM Convention study session on lessons learned from the 2021 Lytton fire. Cohen asked delegates to consider how we can prepare now to ensure that future community wildfire disasters are reduced in scale and impact.

Through a series of compelling images and videos from recent wildfire disasters in North America, Dr. Cohen explained that wildfires may initiate community disasters, but that it is the local condition of homes and structures, specifically the susceptibility to embers, that determines whether the fire will move through the community. “Ignition resistance is a community responsibility” stated Cohen, and it creates the conditions for effective suppression.

This was the case in the wildfire that destroyed much of the Village of Lytton.  Dr. Cohen explained that within an hour, the surface fire had burned four separate paths through the village and overwhelmed response capacity.  By his calculation, upwards of 300 firefighters would have been needed within a few hours in order to handle the number of structure fires that had ignited.

To answer the question of how homes and structures actually ignite, Alan Westhaver, wildfire consultant and researcher, walked delegates through the concept of the Home Ignition Zone and the most common ignition vulnerabilities: structures, vegetation and other flammable materials. 

Finally, a panel of local government representatives and the provincial lead for FireSmartBC provided additional insight. Highlighting the importance of local education, policy and planning tools, and dedicated FireSmart staff, the panel reminded delegates to focus on actions in their own neighbourhoods and communities.

Pointing to the principles of FireSmart, Dr. Cohen chimed “do the little things that make a big difference.”

Vernon Fire Rescue readying itself for increased risk of wildfire conditions

Emergencies can happen anytime and Vernon Fire Rescue Services (VFRS) is taking steps to ready itself for the height of wildfire season and reminding citizens and visitors about the important things we can all do to keep each other safe.

Already this year, fire departments across the North Okanagan have responded to multiple grass and wildland fires and the fire danger rating has fluctuated between low and high at various times.

“The risk of wildfire can change quickly, particularly when we are experiencing heat like we’ve seen this week,” said Fire Chief David Lind. “We need to practice fire safety all the time, and when high heat and sunshine are drying out the region, we need to pay even closer attention to our activities.

“If people are spending time in the mountains, around lakes, in camping areas, or on trails, it’s paramount that everyone does their part to prevent human-caused wildfires to protect themselves, our communities, and our emergency responders.”

Throughout the summer season, VFRS will adjust its operations, as necessary, to have firefighters stationed at Fire Station 3 during higher risk periods.

“Residents in the Predator Ridge area may notice career and auxiliary firefighters working and training out of Station 3 at various times when the fire danger rating is listed as extreme, particularly during the hottest part of the day when fire behaviour can be more aggressive,” said Chief Lind.

The City of Vernon would like to thank the public for helping to prevent wildfires. To report an emergency or wildfire in the City of Vernon call 911. To report a wildfire, call the BC Wildfire Service at 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cellphone.

For the latest information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions and more, visit www.bcwildfire.ca.

Longspoon Common Property gets FireSmart

A section of the common property that borders the Osprey Coach & Carriage duplex homes on Longspoon Drive was targeted for a FireSmart Cleanup on Saturday June 11th.

A group of over 30 volunteers attacked this very steep and hard to access property, laddering trees and cleaning up debris and dead wood. The debris was hauled to the bottom of the slope adjacent the golf course fairway at hole #7 of the Predator course.

As well, an old barbed wire fence was dismantled and the wire was rolled up and disposed of, making the are safer for wildlife and hikers.

A future FireSmart Event will be held in this area in the fall, once the golf season has ended when we will load the debris into disposal bins and remove to the Vernon Landfill.

Thanks to these dedicated FireSmart Volunteers for a job very well done!

FireSmart Community Event

Dear Neighbours,  

Are you looking to learn more about FireSmart and what you can do to protect your home?  

Join us at our upcoming clean-up event and learn what you can do to FireSmart your property.  You can also visit the PRCEMC website at: PRCEMC.ca/FireSmart for more information and FireSmart resources.  

CLEAN-UP EVENT:  LONGSPOON COMMON PROPERTY – JUNE 11, 2022 

The FireSmart Committee is excited to announce that a section of the Longspoon area will be hosting the next FireSmart clean-up event. The area to be cleaned up is a section of the common property that borders the Osprey Coach & Carriage duplex homes on Longspoon Drive.

The committee is currently looking for volunteers to help with the clean-up and welcome all helping hands.  Our collective efforts will help make our community a safer place. Water and snacks will be provided as well as safety glasses, hi-vis vests, and gloves if you require them. Volunteers should be prepared for sloping and uneven ground and appropriate footwear should be worn. We will only focus on the PINK area at this event.

A safety orientation will be held at the Fire Station at 8:30 am prior to the cleanup event getting underway. We hope to see you there for a fun morning of FireSmart.

EVENT DETAILS 
DATE:   Saturday, JUNE 11, 2022
TIME:   8:30am – 12:00pm
LOCATION:   Meet in front of the Fire Station on Predator Ridge Drive at 8:30 am.

*** IMPORTANT: ADVANCED SIGN UP REQUIRED ***
Please sign up by clicking the REGISTER NOW button below or visit:
https://predatorridge.wufoo.com/forms/firesmart-community-event/

REGISTER NOW

If you have any questions please contact us.

Thank you in advance for donating your time and helping to make our community a better and safer place to live.

Sincerely,

Your Predator Ridge Community Emergency Management Committee (PRCEMC) FireSmart Team.

Birdie Lake Court Gets FireSmart

We did it – cut, raked, collected, filled the large bin, built muscles and friendship.

Eva & Larry Poxon

With help and mentorship of Predator Ridge Landscape Manager, Breanne Tripp, neighbours Toby Frisk, Deb Hobbs, Bob Wade, Neil Bowler, Eva Poxon and Larry Poxon went to work to make their properties more FireSmart.

It is amazing how much work can be achieved with a great team of motivated adults! 4-days of pleasure went by sooo quickly.

Working over a period of 4-days from Thursday to Sunday, the neighbours invested a total of 50 hours on lots 7 thru 12 to make their properties & community more resistant to wildfire.

A big shoutout to Breanne Tripp for all her guidance and help in providing a very large bin that was completely filled. Breanne is also a member of the PRCEMC FireSmart Committee.

Congratulations you guys on a JOB Well Done!

Keep Wildfire Prevention and Mitigation Top of Mind

As the hot and dry weather continues across BC, it’s important to keep wildfire prevention and mitigation top of mind. Check out Ember’s Den for helpful resources and tips for the whole family to get FireSmart!

Embers Den

To many, Embers from a fire may seem small and inconsequential. But these tiny flittering offshoots can travel a great distance and cause real world devastation.

This magazine article digs into the fascinating story and science behind these spark sized super spreaders.

For even more information, listen to the Get FireSmart™ Podcast where we interview experts from the world of wildfire. The Get FireSmart™ Podcast is available on both Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Apple podcast
spotify

Neighbourhood Emergency Support Table (NEST)

Some interesting topics and information came out of this months NEST meeting attended by Jm Popowich. These meetings are attended by surrounding neighbourhood communities and the City of Vernon to collaborate on emergency management and preparedness initiatives.

Here is some great information and links coming out of this most recent NEST meeting:

Community Safety Webinar – 2021

On February 23rd and 25th, the PRCEMC team hosted a webinar on Community Safety at Predator Ridge. If you were unable to attend any of those webinar sessions, we have posted a recording of the Feb 25th session on our YouTube channel.

Give the video a view and stay up to date on community safety and other initiatives happening in and around the Predator Ridge Community.