Prince George, B.C. – The warm weather has finally arrived, and despite efforts by the City of Prince George to reduce the potential for urban damage from possible wildfires, there is always a chance the flames could hit your backyard. That possibility is increased if your backyard happens to be woodland and in and around the Prince George area, that is very common.

 

You can reduce the risk by following some of the tips provided in the manual "FireSmart: Protecting Your Community from Wildfire", which has been widely distributed in Canada and abroad.

 

The manual offers homeowners, businesses and communities a comprehensive guide to mitigating wildfire risks and making properties more fire-resistant.

 

You don’t heave to get a copy of the manual though. Partners in Protection Canada and FireSmart Canada have launched a new website that includes "how-to" safety articles, landscaping and property maintenance tips, videos and other learning resources.

 

Here are some of the tips:

 

To create a landscape that will make your home less vulnerable to wildfire, the primary goal is fuel reduction. Think of the area around your home in zones. Zone 1 is closest to the structure, Zone 4 is the farthest away.

 

ZONE 1 This well-irrigated area encircles the structure for at least 30 feet on all sides, providing space for fire suppression equipment in the event of an emergency. Plants should be limited to carefully paced fire resistant tree and shrub species.

ZONE 2 Fire resistant plant materials should be used here. Plants should be low-growing, and the irrigation system should extend into this section.

ZONE 3 Place low-growing plants and well spaced trees in this area, remembering to keep the volume of vegetation (fuel) low.

ZONE 4 This furthest zone from the structure is a natural area. Thin selectively here and remove highly flammable vegetation.

 

The full website, complete with tips, can be accessed here.