FireSmart

The Westwood Hills Residents Association is actively working towards becoming a FireSmart accredited community. It takes just 15 minutes of defensible space around your home to greatly reduce the risk of wildfire damage.

Create defensible space around your home

Just 10 metres of defensible space may save your home. Within this zone, all combustible materials, plants, and vegetation should be treated, cleared, or reduced to slow the spread of wildfire towards the structure.

  • Store gasoline and other flammable liquids in approved safety containers away from occupied buildings
  • Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) tanks should be far enough away from buildings for valves to be shut off in case of fire, keep area of 3 metres around the tank clear of vegetation
  • Clean roof surfaces and gutters regularly to avoid accumulation of flammable materials
  • Maintain a screen constructed of non-flammable material over the flue opening of every chimney or stovepipe. Mesh openings of the screen should not exceed 12mm
  • Remove portions of any tree extending within 3 metres of the flue opening of any stove or chimney
  • Remove branches from trees to a height of 3 to 5 metres
  • Have fire tools handy such as ladder long enough to reach the roof, shovel, rake, and bucket for water
  • All roads and driveways should be at least 5 metres in width
  • Name and address should be posted at driveways and entrances
  • Clean leaves and flammable debris from around structures
  • Each home should have at least 3 different entrance and exit routes
  • Fire resistant shrubs should be spaced at least 4.5 metres apart
  • Rows of shrubs should be situated in an offset pattern
  • Garden hose should be connected to outside water outlet
  • Dispose of stove or fireplace ashes and charcoal briquettes in a fire safe container
  • All combustibles such as firewood, picnic tables, boats, etc. should be kept away from structures

Use fire resistant building materials

The roof and exterior structure of your home should be constructed of noncombustible or fire-resistant materials such as asphalt roofing shingles, tile, slate, sheet iron, aluminum, brick, or stone. Wood siding, wood shakes, wood shingle roofs, exterior wood decks, and wood patio furniture should be treated with fire retardant chemicals.

Burn safely

Never start fires on or during high winds. Some communities allow burning only during specified hours; others forbid it entirely. If brush burning is allowed, take the following precautions:

  • Clear the ground of leaves and debris for a radius of at least 3 metres
  • Have adequate water and fire tools available in case the fire escapes
  • Don’t burn on dry, windy days
  • Have an adult attend the fire until it is completely out
  • Notify your local fire department

Use only approved wood burning units

Make sure any wood burning units you use are approved. See that they are installed according to the manufacturers’ recommendations and local regulations. When you dispose of your stove or fireplace ashes, place ashes in a closed metal container, then dispose of the cold ashes in a cleared area free of all flammable vegetation.

Develop a water supply

An emergency household water supply is essential to protect structures and natural areas from fire. Water can be supplied in rural areas by wells with high volume pumps. Know the location of nearby creeks, reservoirs, and ponds that may be available for emergency use. A swimming pool or hot tub can also be considered a source of additional water supply. A garden hose should be installed on the outside of the structure which can be used on burning embers or small fires.

Plan adequate access and escape

Plan ahead. Discuss what you will do if a wildfire threatens your home and family before a wildfire occurs, and make sure everyone follows the plan. Have a consistent plan so that family members know where to meet if they get separated. Contact the FireSmart Representative Rodney Wasicuna for more information.

FireSmart Provincial Representative for Nova Scotia:
Karrie McCurdy
Email: mccurdyk@gov.ns.ca
Phone: 902-890-6853

For more information visit: firesmartcanada.ca

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