Homeowners can play an important role in preventing wildfire damage to their homes with some simple steps that reduce the risk of fire spreading to their properties.
According to a City of Nanaimo press release, residents should consider several things to make their homes FireSmart, such as construction of the home itself, their yards and landscaping – including the vegetation and fuels – and property access.
“FireSmart B.C. is working hard to help us stay safe. Doing everything we can to prevent the spread of wildfires and protect our homes and property is worth the effort, for ourselves and our communities,” said Geoff Whiting, Nanaimo Fire Rescue deputy chief, in the press release.
FireSmart B.C., a provincial resource that anyone can use to learn how to make their home and community safer, offers online videos and manuals with information on ways to protect homes, which include removing combustible surface materials within 10 metres of the house’s perimeter, making sure trees are spaced at least three metres apart and all branches within two metres of the ground are pruned.
Roofs should be made of fire-resistant materials, such as clay, asphalt and metal, and be kept free of combustible materials so embers don’t have a place to collect. Chimneys should have spark arrestors to reduce the chance of sparks and embers escaping.
Gutters should be kept free of debris and screened if possible, eaves and vents should be screened with 3 millimetre wire mesh, and soffits and fascia should be properly fitted.
Siding made of stucco, metal, brick and concrete have superior fire resistance. Windows should have tempered, thermal or double-pane glazing, doors should be fire-rated and have a good seal, and garage doors should be weather-stripped to prevent embers from entering.
To learn more, visit http://firesmartbc.ca.
READ ALSO: Rural firefighters stop fire threatening Extension, south of Nanaimo
chris.bush@nanaimobulletin.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter