RDN FireSmart

Welcome to the our FireSmart webpage. Explore it to find a wealth of information along with some of the many ways to get involved in FireSmarting your own home, neighbourhood, and community, specifically within the Regional District of Nanaimo.
Additionally you will find:
- Information on what FireSmart is all about
- Frequently Asked Questions about FireSmart
- Links to FireSmartBC and BC Wildfire Services Resources
- Videos about why planning for wildfire resilience is important
- Articles and updates about FireSmart in the RDN
- FireSmart events in the RDN
Register for updates on how you can get involved in FireSmart programs, and for helpful FireSmart tips along the way!
Ask a question, send us a message, and explore this FireSmart Page!
Welcome to the our FireSmart webpage. Explore it to find a wealth of information along with some of the many ways to get involved in FireSmarting your own home, neighbourhood, and community, specifically within the Regional District of Nanaimo.
Additionally you will find:
- Information on what FireSmart is all about
- Frequently Asked Questions about FireSmart
- Links to FireSmartBC and BC Wildfire Services Resources
- Videos about why planning for wildfire resilience is important
- Articles and updates about FireSmart in the RDN
- FireSmart events in the RDN
Register for updates on how you can get involved in FireSmart programs, and for helpful FireSmart tips along the way!
Ask a question, send us a message, and explore this FireSmart Page!
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Local Fire Departments Recruiting
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkAll of us can be FireSmart, but not everyone can be a Firefighter. Do you think you have what it takes? Many of your local Fire Departments are recruiting volunteers into September! If you want to give back to your community, gain valuable training, and join an incredible team click the link or the fire departments tagged below to see if the Fire Department in your area is recruiting! -
FireSmart Building Information Bulletin
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkFireSmart Information Bulletin
Just yesterday the RDN released a new Information Bulletin for builders, developers, and homeowners in the RDN to consider when planning and designing homes in the Wildland Urban Interface.
Following FireSmart principles when developing land, designing homes and structures, and landscaping on properties within the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) is an important part of the planning and development process. Developers, builders, contractors and homeowners should review the FireSmart basics and follow FireSmart principles when designing and building in the Wildland Urban Interface in the RDN to mitigate wildfire risk.
Follow the link below to read more!
https://www.rdn.bc.ca/notice-2022-07-18
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Community Wildfire Resiliency Plans Endorsed
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkCommunity Wildfire Resiliency Plans (CWRP) are the next generation of Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPP). The CWPPs were introduced in 2004 as part of the Strategic Wildfire Prevention Initiative and served as the primary wildfire risk reduction planning mechanism for British Columbia communities. To better ensure that CWPPs consistently take a comprehensive approach toward wildfire, including risk reduction and resiliency measures, the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) partnered with the BC FireSmart Committee to develop a new framework for Community Wildfire Resiliency Planning.
On June 28th the CWRPs for the RDN were endorsed by the RDN board and they now provide a framework for wildfire risk reduction and planning in the RDN for the next several years.
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BCWS Wildfire Outlook June 2022
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkDuring the fire season, the BC Wildfire Service predictive services unit produces seasonal outlooks on a monthly basis. Season forecasts are assessed by meteorologists and fire behavior specialists who consider a range of environmental factors and observed weather data. The second available outlook produced this year was on June 2nd and is in the link below.
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Your Property's Risk is in Your Control
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkThere are several resources that can walk a resident through how to FireSmart their home and their property, such as:
● Remove combustible surface material in the area within 10 metres of your home
● Make sure trees are spaced at least 3 metres apart
● Prune all branches that are within 2 metres of the ground
● The roof should be free of combustible materials, so embers don’t have a place to collect (it should also be a fire-resistant roof made of materials that may include clay, asphalt, and metal)
● The chimney should have a spark arrestor to reduce the chance of sparks and embers escaping
● Gutters should be free of debris and screened if possible
● Eaves and vents should be screened with 3mm wire mesh. Soffits and fascia should be properly fitted as well
● Siding like stucco, metal siding, brick and concrete have superior fire resistance
● Windows should be tempered, thermal or double-paned
● Doors should be fire rated and have a good seal; weather strip your garage door even to prevent embers from entering
By taking small consistent steps to FireSmart your home and property, you reduce your own risk and your neighbourhoods risk of devastating wildfire.
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Sign Up for Emergency Alerts
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkTo stay informed about emergency incidents such as wildfires or flooding within the RDN sign up for the "Voyent Alert" service. Registration for the service is FREE, simple and anonymous. You can choose how you would like to receive alerts, either through a mobile app, email, text message or phone call.
https://www.rdn.bc.ca/voyent-alert
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BCWS Seasonal Outlook May 2022
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkDuring the fire season, the BC Wildfire Service predictive services unit produces seasonal outlooks on a monthly basis. Season forecasts are assessed by meteorologists and fire behavior specialists who consider a range of environmental factors and observed weather data. The first available outlook produced this year was on May 4th.
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CWRP Final Copies to be presented to the EASC
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkWe're excited to announce that The Community Wildfire Resiliency Plans for each Electoral area will be presented to the Electoral Area Services Committee on May 5, 2022. Final copies will be available as part of the meeting agenda, found here:
https://www.rdn.bc.ca/agendas-minutes-videos
Once presented to the EASC, copies of the CWRPs for each electoral area will be uploaded to the RDN website.
This has been a very extensive project that has brought together many components, residents, and agencies, and we want to thank everyone for their participation!
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Fuel Management Prescription for 707 Park and RDN Arboretum
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkThe Fuel Management Prescriptions for 707 Community Park on Gabriola Island, and the RDN Arboretum was presented to the RDN Electoral Area Services Committee on February 3, 2022. A copy of the Fuel Management Prescriptions are available in the February 3 meeting agenda. To view the meeting or the agenda: .rdn.bc.ca/agendas-minutes-videos
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FireSmart Awareness Tips
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkWatch Kaitlin from the RDN Emergency Services team talk about how to become FireSmart around your home and property! This presentation was part of Emergency Preparedness Week. Follow this link to watch!
Wildfire is a Fact of Life in BC
We have to learn to live with, and prepare for the threat of Wildfire in our communities.
FireSmart Event Photos
FireSmart Links to Check Out!
Current Fire Danger Map
The Fire Danger Rating is not calculated during the winter months as the relative fire danger is usually low throughout that time.
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/wildfire-status/wildfire-situation/fire-danger
Important FireSmart Documents
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FireSmart at Home Manual (14.9 MB) (pdf)
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FireSmart Home Ignition Zone (174 KB) (pdf)
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3 Steps to FireSmart Your Home (535 KB) (pdf)
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Last Minute Wildfire Evacuation Checklist (583 KB) (pdf)
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Seven FireSmart Disciplines (130 KB) (pdf)
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FireSmart Home Ignition Zone Assessment Score Card (4.27 MB) (pdf)
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FireSmart Building Material Factsheets
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FireSmart Fences Fact-Sheet (728 KB) (pdf)
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FireSmart Home Building Fact Sheets (2.81 MB) (pdf)
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FireSmart Roof Fact-Sheet (506 KB) (pdf)
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FireSmart Gutters Fact-Sheet (293 KB) (pdf)
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FireSmart Siding Fact-Sheet (355 KB) (pdf)
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FireSmart Yard Fact-Sheet (374 KB) (pdf)
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FireSmart Windows Fact-Sheet (349 KB) (pdf)
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FireSmart Decks Fact-Sheet (429 KB) (pdf)
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RDN FireSmart and WaterSmart Landscaping Guide (1.94 MB) (pdf)
Related Emergency and Government Links
Quick FireSmart Poll
Follow Project
Who's Listening
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Email bosborn@rdn.bc.ca