File photo (image credit - CFJC Today)

By Michael Reeve

FIRESMART ASSESSMENTS

KFR already receiving dozens of FireSmart assessment requests

Mar 14, 2024 | 5:30 PM

KAMLOOPS — Prolonged drought, low snowpack and an early spring have Kamloops residents reaching out for their free FireSmart home assessments from Kamloops Fire Rescue (KFR). With 25 assessments already in the books, it’s clear to local firefighters that people are getting the message.

“We are seeing a lot of people doing this work and a lot of questions at all the events we go to,” said KFR Life Safety Educator Cpt. Jeff Pont. “The word is out there. We haven’t had much snow, things are really dry — it’s worth considering that this year might be another substantial fire season and right now is a good time to do the work to mitigate the risk to your home.”

Step One is calling KFR, but Pont highlighted that an easy Step Two for residents is to walk the perimeters of their homes.

“You want to make sure you have all the needles from fir trees, and different things cleaned up, no firewood, absolutely nothing that can burn within that 1.5 metres around your home. That is work that people can do — that’s work we expect people to do and it’s a really good start,” said Pont.

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Pont joked that KFR has been called the ‘cedar police,’ a moniker he’s happy to bear, referencing their call to the community to remove any and all cedar hedges and Junipers.

“With water restrictions and drought, it’s virtually impossible to keep them healthy, but even when they are healthy they are still a big fire risk,” said Pont. “We talk a lot about cedars but it’s not just about cedars and Junipers, it’s about everything in that 1.5 metres around your home. Just make it completely non-combustible and that will give your house a good chance if there is a wildfire nearby.”

While removing cedars can be expensive and difficult, Pont asked residents to weigh the dangers of keeping them.

“I understand how expensive it can be, how labour intensive it can be. But, you need to take a step back and look at, ‘Is that worth my house? Is that worth losing my house to a wildfire?’ I think most people would answer, ‘No,'” said Pont.

Anybody wishing to receive their free FireSmart assessment is advised to call KFR at (250) 372-5131 as soon as possible to set something up with Pont.