Firesmart™ Your Property
Firesmart Assessments
With the increasing volume and severity of wildfires in the province, many municipalities and private homeowners are looking at ways to protect property and communities.
A core concept of the Firesmart scheme is to reduce the fuels available to a wildfire and increase the likelihood of firefighters being able to control a wildfire.
This is achieved by reducing the volume of trees near houses and structures, removing small dead trees and branches that could cause laddering (where a ground fire spreads to the crown of trees), and pruning trees away from houses or structures.
Many municipalities in the Sea to Sky Corridor require that an arborist report accompanies the Firesmart Assessment. At Windfirm, our consulting arborists are highly experienced in writing these reports and have completed the Firesmart Risk Reduction Course.
If you do not require a Firesmart assessment of your home but still have concerns about managing your trees from a Firesmart perspective, our arborists can still help.
We will meet you on-site, discuss your concerns and can advise and create a work specification to reduce the risk.
After getting a full Firesmart Assessment from Windfirm Tree Services, I am quite satisfied with the result. The team was knowledgeable and helpful in understanding the potential risks of my property to an approaching wildland fire. They also gave several tips to make my house as safe as possible against potential harm. I am extremely happy with the quality and price of the Firesmart Assessment done by Windfirm Tree Services.
— Henry C.
Frequently Asked Questions - Firesmart Assessments
Why do I need a Firesmart Assessment?
A Firesmart Assessment is an essential step in helping to protect your home from the threat of wildfire. The assessment evaluates a property's vulnerability to wildfire and recommends reducing that risk. It considers factors such as fuel type, structure type, vegetation type, terrain, and more. This information lets you decide where and how to create defensible space around your home. Having a Firesmart Assessment done can help keep your family safe during a wildfire.
When do I need a Firesmart Assessment?
A Firesmart Assessment should be done at least once every other year and more often if your property has undergone significant changes. This includes any landscaping work, new construction projects, or changes to the slope of the land. Additionally, residents in high-risk areas may wish to have a regular assessment every year. An up-to-date assessment helps ensure your home is better prepared for wildfire season.
How much does it cost to get a Firesmart Assessment?
The cost to have your home Firesmart assessed will depend on various factors, including the size and complexity of your property. Generally speaking, an assessment start at $350+. However, many public and private funding sources are available to help offset these costs. Additionally, some insurance companies may offer discounts when a Firesmart Assessment has been completed on a property.
Why should I hire Windfirm to do my Firesmart Assessment?
At Windfirm Tree Services, we have experienced and certified arborists who provide comprehensive Firesmart Assessments. We also have arborists who previously worked for the BC Ministry of Forest as wildland firefighters and therefore have a more profound knowledge of forest fires. They are knowledgeable in understanding the specific needs of the coastal regions and use up-to-date strategies to reduce the risk of your property becoming vulnerable to wildland fires. Additionally, we offer competitive pricing for our services, making it more affordable for homeowners to protect their property from fire danger.
Learn More About The Firesmart Program
If you have more questions, we welcome you to visit the Firesmart Program page on the BC Government website, which has tons of information on Firesmart assessments, how to fireproof your property, etc.