3°

Keremeos is a FireSmart Community!

FireSmart is a program to support wildfire preparedness, prevention and mitigation in BC. The program provides excellent tools to help property owners prepare themselves, their pets and their properties for wildfire.

FireSmart your property before the risk of wildfire.

 

Did you know....

Many people think wildfire spread is only along the ground and from treetop to treetop. In fact, much of wildfire spread is from "spotting" caused by burning embers being carried on the wind and then dropping to the ground. Most house fires from wildfire are caused by these embers that can travel up to 17 kilometres on the wind!

Read more here

 

The FireSmart website has easy-to-follow tips for assessing and mitigating the risks around your property:

 

The Village of Keremeos has developed a FireSmart demonstration garden at the municipal hall. In 2020, the Village removed all flammable plants from the grounds and replaced them with 12 kinds of FireSmart plants.

Here are a few examples of FireSmart choices for your garden.

Visit the garden at 702-4th Street to see FireSmart plantings or browse the FireSmart BC Landscaping Guide There are also free brochure copies of the FireSmart Guide and Landscaping Guide outside the entrance to the municipal hall.

Become a FireSmart Neighbourhood

Because FireSmart is most effective when neighbours band together to safeguard whole blocks, you can get FireSmart recognition status by meeting the following criteria:

  • Enlisting a wildland/urban interface specialist to complete an assessment and create a plan that identifies locally agreed-upon solutions that the neighbourhood can implement.
  • Sponsoring a local FireSmart committee, which maintains the FireSmart Neighbourhood Plan and tracks its progress or status.
  • Conducting FireSmart events each year that are dedicated to a local FireSmart project.
  • Investing a minimum of $2 per capita annually in local FireSmart Neighbourhood efforts.
  • Submitting an annual report to FireSmart Canada that documents continuing compliance with the program.

Contact the Village Office at 250-499-2711 if you wish to be put in touch with a Local FireSmart resource to explore what you could do in your neighbourhood.

The Village completed a Community Wildfire Protection Plan in 2018, and continues to work with fire safety professionals to advance FireSmart goals in the community.