As B.C. faces longer and more intense wildfire seasons, fire departments from across the Capital Regional District, Central Saanich, Colwood, Langford, Metchosin, North Saanich, Sidney, Sooke and View Royal have come together to launch a collaborative FireSmart video titled FireSmart Begins at Home - Together.
The joint project comes in time for Emergency Preparedness Week, which runs May 4-10.
“Wildfire prevention is a shared responsibility,” says District of Sooke FireSmart coordinator Madison Crawford.
“Through FireSmart, residents have the tools to take action – starting right at home – to help reduce wildfire risk and support overall community and regional safety.”
Their aim is to raise awareness and promote community wildfire resilience by emphasizing the power of collaboration between residents, fire departments and local governments to reduce wildfire risks using FireSmart principles.
“This video reflects the strong coordination between our fire departments,” said Crawford.
“By working together and sharing resources, we are not only building local capacity but also ensuring residents receive consistent, accessible support across the region.”
Emergency Preparedness Week sees communities from across Canada come together to highlight the importance of preparation in the face of natural disasters. This year's theme is In It Together, emphasizing the importance of collective responsibility and cooperation in emergency preparedness and response.
Sooke is encouraging residents to engage in FireSmart activities by booking a free home assessment through their local fire department to help reduce wildlife risk, clearing leaves and debris from roofs and gutters, trimming trees and shrubs to create a defensible space, move flammable materials like firewood propane tanks or patio cushions away from the home, and using other FireSmart landscaping principles.
“When emergencies happen, it’s our collective strength that gets us through. Preparedness is a shared responsibility. When we plan and act together, we build a stronger, more resilient Sooke," said Ryland Bennett, District of Sooke's emergency program manager.
The new video is live now on the District of Sooke's YouTube channel.
