FireSmart Home Assessments - things we all can do

If you remember, on May 1st, we sent out an email calling for volunteers for a last minute FireSmart Home Assessment. Our new FireSmart lead, Captain Barton, was conducting training and thought Quail Ridge would be a good place to run part of the program.

The home owners that had assessments completed provided us with some things that the Fire Department focused on that we all can think about when looking at "FireSmarting" our homes:

1. Look at the condition of your roof and gutters.

2. Old hedges and dead trees should be removed.

3. Really focusing on that five foot free zone all around your home is important.

4. Removing piles of dead leaves, debris, garbage, or wood.

5. Replacing old wooden fences.

6. Look for plants that are more fire resistant and drought tolerant. (The FireSmart page is a great resource for this: Fire-Resistant Plants | FireSmart BC)

All home owners stated that the fire department didn't find much to correct and that the landscaping looked good.

Be safe. Be FireSmart.