There’s a new sign on the mountain. Keep a look-out for these signs; it means there is another FireSmart assessment being completed in our community.

The Anarchist Mountain FireSmart committee have been doing FireSmart assessments since 2013. We were one of the first communities in British Columbia to become part of this program. Over the last 13 years more than 120 assessments have been completed; almost half the homes in our community.

The FireSmart assessment program has seen a lot of changes since 2013 and we are encouraging the original participants of the program to have updated assessments. 

The early assessments; and training needed to complete these assessments; was very basic. However FireSmart Canada continually improved the program with the goal that it be based on fire science. This entailed wildfire experiments conducted by government agencies to determine which construction methods and materials best withstood wildfire and forensic investigation of homes destroyed by wildfire.

Our training also improved since 2013; now you must be a trained fire fighter and take additional classroom and field training about the FireSmart program. Only then; as a certified Wildfire Mitigation Specialist; are you qualified to complete FireSmart assessments.

The Fire Chiefs Association of British Columbia became more involved in promoting FireSmarting as a proactive way to mitigate wildfire risk and FireSmart programs become a service of many fire departments Several years ago our FireSmart committee was integrated with the AMFD and now our assessments are completed by trained fire fighters under the supervision of the Fire Chief.

Last year FireSmart BC took control of the FireSmart Canada program and modified it to better suit the wildfire risks in our province. The reporting program has been greatly improved; a typical report will be 30 to 40 pages; specific to your home and property; with detailed recommendations how to reduce your risks from wildfires. Each report is reviewed and approved by a FireSmart professional from either the RDOS or FireSmart BC to insure the
reporting meets their standards.

If you are a resident who hasn’t yet had a FireSmart assessment; or if your assessment was completed more than 3-years ago; you are encouraged to register for a free assessment per the attached link:

https://firesmartbcplatform.ca/request-home-inspection?agency=RD Okanagan-Similkameen