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Keep your home wildfire-safe under Okanagan resiliency program

The Home Partners Program is free for participating communities
33062415_web1_220622-KCN-bcaa-firesmart--Photo-credit-BC-FireSmart-_1
(Photo credit: BC FireSmart)

A partnership between BCAA and FireSmart BC encourages residents to be more aware of protecting their property from wildfire.

The partnership, which started in 2021, supports awareness and expansion of the Home Partners Program. With wildfires becoming more frequent and intense, there is a push to increase wildfire resiliency.

READ MORE: Donnie Creek Wildfire now the largest in B.C.’s history: Wildfire Service

“We want British Columbians to check the FireSmart BC website to see if their communities are participating, and if they’re not, that website can teach them how a community can sign up,” says Shawn Pettipas, director of community engagement for BCAA.

Property assessments are done by a wildfire mitigation expert.

“They evaluate a home, a property for wildfire exposure,” adds Pettipas. “Then they educate the property owners on ways to reduce it.”

BCAA has more information, and several tips, on its website including:

  • Clean and maintain gutters and roof;
  • Move propane, firewood and other fuel sources at least 10 to 30 metres away from structures;
  • Keep grass cut short (below 10 centimetres);
  • Prune and remove branches from underneath trees to create a two-metre clearance from the ground to the lowest branches.

“We are constantly looking for ways to help all British Columbians. At the end of the day a more wildfire-resilient B.C. benefits all of us,” says Pettipas.

The Home Partners Program is free for participating communities. More information can be found on the FireSmart BC website.

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@GaryBarnes109
gary.barnes@kelownacapnews.com

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Gary Barnes

About the Author: Gary Barnes

Journalist and broadcaster for three decades.
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