A partnership between BCAA and FireSmart BC encourages residents to be more aware of protecting their property from wildfire.

The partnership, which started in 2021, supports awareness and expansion of the Home Partners Program. With wildfires becoming more frequent and intense, there is a push to increase wildfire resiliency.

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鈥淲e want British Columbians to check the FireSmart BC website to see if their communities are participating, and if they鈥檙e not, that website can teach them how a community can sign up,鈥� says Shawn Pettipas, director of community engagement for BCAA.

Property assessments are done by a wildfire mitigation expert.

鈥淭hey evaluate a home, a property for wildfire exposure,鈥� adds Pettipas. 鈥淭hen they educate the property owners on ways to reduce it.鈥�

BCAA has more information, and several tips, including:

• Clean and maintain gutters and roof;
• Move propane, firewood and other fuel sources at least 10 to 30 metres away from structures;
• Keep grass cut short (below 10 centimetres);
• Prune and remove branches from underneath trees to create a two-metre clearance from the ground to the lowest branches.

鈥淲e are constantly looking for ways to help all British Columbians. At the end of the day a more wildfire-resilient B.C. benefits all of us,鈥� says Pettipas.

The Home Partners Program is free for participating communities. More information can be found on the .

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gary.barnes@kelownacapnews.com
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