May 4, 2018
Early Fire Season Reinforces Importance of Preparation
– – –Wildfire Community Preparedness Day May 5
Manitoba communities are reminded that taking steps before the fire season hits can greatly reduce the risk of wildfire damage, Growth, Enterprise and Trade Minister Blaine Pedersen, minister responsible for the Office of the Fire Commissioner, and Sustainable Development Minister Rochelle Squires announced today.
“We know that conditions are dry this year and we have already seen wildfires cause significant damage to parts of southeast Manitoba,” said Pedersen. “We encourage all communities and property owners to continue working on prevention and taking steps to make their communities and properties safer.”
The Office of the Fire Commissioner (OFC) and Sustainable Development have been working proactively with many communities, helping them achieve the designation as FireSmart communities. FireSmart is living with and managing for fire on the landscape. By being FireSmart, communities reduce the threat to homes and properties by removing or reducing the hazards that put them at risk. Whether it is a permanent home or a summer cottage in a wooded area, everyone has a reason to take precautions. Small actions can make a big difference if a fire breaks out in a local area.
“Our Wildfire Program is already busy with wildfire response, and we all need to work together to minimize the risk of future fires,” Squires said. “A little bit of work ahead of time can save thousands of dollars in damage or even the loss of an entire community.”
In collaboration with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction (ICLR), and The Co-operators, FireSmart Canada will be launching the fourth annual National Wildfire Community Preparedness Day in Canada tomorrow. On this day, communities across Canada are encouraged to participate in local projects to help reduce the risk of wildfire damage to their homes and neighbourhoods. Every project, from mowing yards to mowing the right of ways, counts as a step toward the larger goal of a safer community.
This year, The Pas received a 2018 Wildfire Community Preparedness Day Project Funding Award to support activities aimed at reducing wildfire risks within their community.
Making homes, cottages or communities FireSmart includes ideas such as:
• clearing leaves, pine needles and combustible debris from roofs and gutters;
• removing combustible debris or items stored under decks and porches;
• pruning low-hanging tree branches up to a height of two metres;
• disposing of downed tree limbs, broken branches and other flammable items on the property;
• ensuring address numbers are visible form the street;
• developing a phone/text list that can be used for fire evacuation alerts; and
• distributing FireSmart information to neighbours.
To find out more about Wildfire Community Preparedness Day and the FireSmart initiative, visit www.firesmartcanada.ca.
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