While Metro Vancouver experiences a lower direct wildfire threat, residential areas of Vancouver, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Burnaby, Surrey, and other cities in the lower mainland that border forests and mountainous terrain are at a slightly higher risk. In addition to wildfires, forested areas like Pacific Spirit Regional Park, Stanley Park, Green Timbers Urban Forest, and Cypress Falls Park are vulnerable to human-caused ignitions, dry conditions, lightning, and ember showers. If you live near or in one of these places, here are some tips on how to protect your home from wildfires.
Start with the Roof
Select a roof constructed of a Class A roofing material, the highest standard in fire-resistance. These include metal roofs, asphalt shingles, fiberglass shingles, and concrete or clay roof tiles. If the roofing material is untreated wood such as cedar, either shakes or shingles, consider applying a fire-resistant treatment or a roof replacement when it’s time to upgrade.
Check the roof, especially the roof valleys and around protrusions such as a sunroof, dormer windows, chimneys, etc. for twigs, leaves, pine needles, and other kinds of organic debris that can accumulate on roofing shingles. Clear off any accumulations that bake in the sun and can be a potential fire hazard if a tiny ember coasts in on the wind.
Keep the Gutters Clean
Leaves, twigs, debris, left-over blossoms, and pine cones that collect in the gutters can pose a threat to your home’s exterior, especially in a heat wave. Trees growing close to the house can deposit a significant amount of dry debris on to the roof and into the gutters.
It doesn’t take much – one small ember can be carried a long distance on the wind. Throughout periods of dry weather, check to ensure gutter outlets are free of debris; run water through the downspouts to see if it trickles out (a sign of clogs); and remove any debris the gutter channels.
Your Home’s Exterior
When you live in a forested area, siding can be ignited by direct contact with embers or flames.
Siding materials to avoid are:
- Vinyl siding – melts, exposing wood sheathing
- Untreated cedar siding – quickly dries out, feeding the fire more fuel
- Wood plastic composite – some types of wood composites, while strong and budget-friendly, are made using a plastics base, which can burn intensely
To safely clad your home’s exterior in a forested area, consider the following kinds of siding:
- Fiber cement
- Stee
- Aluminum siding
- Brick
- Concrete
An area of 1.5 metres (approx. 5 ft) that is free of flammable materials should encompass the perimeter of your home and all other structures on the property.
Fire-Resistant Landscaping
Plant fire-resistant flowers, trees, and shrubs.
Keep the grass cut short.
Near the house, use river rock, gravel, or crushed stone. Avoid using bark mulch or pine needles anywhere on your property.
Prune low-hanging branches to prevent fire from climbing up into the tree.
Remove accumulated debris from decks, patios, balconies, the backyard, and front yard that could become a fire hazard in dry weather.
More Prevention Tips
Ensure your firewood pile is a minimum of 10 metres (33 ft) away from the house.
Place a fire pit approximately 3 to 8 metres (10 to 25 ft) away from your house and any other combustible building.
Park or store vehicles on a non-combustible surface.
Keep firefighting tools such as a bucket, rake, axe, ladder, and shovel in one place that is readily accessible.
Ensure the garden hose is long enough to reach all parts of your home’s exterior and any other structures close to the house.
