In lieu of Firefighter Friday today, Elkford Fire Rescue is reminding everyone that tomorrow (Saturday, May 4) is Wildfire Community Preparedness Day!

Wildfire Community Preparedness Day is a national campaign that encourages people and organizations everywhere to unite and take action to raise awareness and reduce wildfire risks.

According to the Province of British Columbia’s wildfire season summary, 2023 was among the worst wildfire seasons in British Columbia’s recorded history. With B.C. bracing for another dry summer, it’s important to prepare—as individuals, families and as a community—for the potential impacts of wildfires.

Last summer’s wildfire near our community (the Mount Bingay wildfire) may not have threatened Elkford directly, but it was a great reminder of why wildfire protection is so important.

You can help promote wildfire protection in your neighbourhood by participating in risk reduction projects on (or before) the first Saturday in May.

Studies show that measures taken at the home (and in the area within 100 feet of it, known as the Home Ignition Zone) have a significant impact on minimizing damage and loss. Something as simple as clearing the immediate, five-foot zone around the home can make a huge difference and help to avoid a catastrophe.

Learn more about the home ignition zone.

Here are some more great resources relating to home and community wildfire preparedness:

• https://www.nfpa.org/…/Wildfire-Community-Preparedness-Day
• https://www.nfpa.org/…/Wil…/Preparing-homes-for-wildfire
• https://firesmartcanada.ca/homeowners/protect-your-home/
• https://www.getprepared.gc.ca/cnt/hzd/wldfrs-en.aspx

This next week, from May 5 to 11, it’s also Emergency Preparedness Week across Canada! To help prepare Elkford residents for any kind of emergency that our community may encounter, we’ll be sharing some tips and resources related to emergency preparedness on Facebook this week, so stay tuned!

District of Elkford/Elkford Fire Rescue

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