Wildfire won’t wait for you to make a plan.
Despite a slow start to summer, BC is now facing hotter temperatures and serious threats of wildfire. There are five colour-coded levels of fire threat and, no matter what category your community is in, we have the information and resources you need to take action and get prepared.
Follow evacuation alerts and orders
Knowing what to do in case of an evacuation alert or evacuation order could save your life, and possibly your property. An evacuation alert means you need to be ready to leave at a moment’s notice. Use the FireSmart Last-Minute Checklist to make sure you’re ready before or during an alert. An evacuation order means the time to prepare is over. YOU NEED TO LEAVE IMMEDIATELY. During this level of emergency, your local evacuation centre should be your first point of contact.
Get prepared for wildfire
Prepare yourself and your family
Some of the most important ways you can prepare yourself or your family for an emergency evacuation are simple—and they’re all in the Wildfire Preparedness Guide by Get Prepared BC. Things like setting up a family communication plan in case you get separated, preparing grab-and-go bags for everyone in your household, and knowing your evacuation routes are just a few ways to make sure you’re ready. Download the Wildfire Preparedness Guide now and make a plan.
Download GuidePrepare your pets
In an emergency, your furry, feathery, finned or scaly friends will be relying on you. So have a pet plan in place with pet-friendly contacts who can host or help you in case you need to evacuate. Prepare a grab-and-go pet bag with a leash, food and water for up to a week, health and vaccination information—everything you’ll need to ensure they’re safe and healthy away from home. For more tips and resources, download our pet prep guide.
Download Pet GuidePrepare your property
There’s a lot you can do before an evacuation is ordered to protect your home, farmland, or ranch from wildfire. Moving fuel sources like firewood and lawn furniture away from your house, trimming branches near your roof, and cutting your lawn shorter are just a few quick chores you can do—before you’re in a wildfire emergency—that may save your property. For farmers and ranchers, download resources here. For all property owners, our Homeowner’s Manual is an essential tool for mitigating the threats of fire.
View ManualNow’s the time to get FireSmart.
Whether the fire risks are extreme or low, the stakes are always high if you’re not prepared. Following evacuation alerts and orders and getting ready before a wildfire disaster strikes can make a world of difference. So make a plan, keep your property FireSmart, and stay up to date on the latest evacuation alerts and orders this wildfire season.
FireSmart BC
Homeowner's Manual
This manual provides easy steps to make your property FireSmart, so you can reduce the potential impacts of wildfire on your home, neighbourhood and community.
See the manual
Looking for FireSmart tips? Check out these 11 quick tips on the FireSmart Your Home Infographic
Get prepared today with these other key resources
Home Ignition Assessment Score Card
Assess your risk from wildfire. Answer the questions in the assessment form to see what changes will make the greatest difference in reducing your home’s risk from wildfire.
Watch a Home Ignition Zone Assessment
Watch Larry Watkinson (Fire Chief of Penticton) give a Home Ignition Zone Assessment for a homeowner in Penticton, BC. Home assessments are a great opportunity to identify where FireSmart practices can be applied on the home.
Wildfire mitigation for the Farm and Ranch
Agriculture faces unique challenges from wildfire. Farmers, ranchers, First Nations and governments can all take simple steps to prepare ahead of time.