FIRESMART YOUR HOME

With spring in the air, I can’t help but feel the urge to step outside and refresh our space. There’s something so satisfying about a good seasonal clean-up!

But before anything else, I want to take a moment to acknowledge that if you’ve ever experienced the heartbreak of losing a home to wildfire, I am truly sorry. I can only imagine the loss and disruption it brings, and my heart goes out to you.

That’s why I’m passionate about merging spring cleaning with smart homeproofing, because taking proactive steps today can make all the difference tomorrow. With wildfire risks on the rise, a few strategic changes can go a long way in safeguarding your home while keeping it beautiful.

With the right planning and strategies, you can reduce fire hazards, enhance resilience, and ensure your home stays safe without compromising its style.

At Sitka Concept, we believe that thoughtful, well-designed homes should also be resilient. That’s why we are sharing this clear guide from FireSmart BC, a FireSmart Home Guide, for your go-to resource for safeguarding your home without sacrificing style.

I spent a whole 8 hours on training to become firesmart certified so I could better understand the possible prevention and help you along the way. Here is a snippet of what YOU can do over the next week (or two!) without starting a big renovation. Let me know if you are; we can help!

The Home Ignition Zone (HIZ)

Your property is divided into three key zones that influence its fire resilience:

• Immediate Zone (0–1.5m): The most critical area to keep ember-resistant.
• Intermediate Zone (1.5–10m): Where strategic landscaping can reduce fire intensity.
• Extended Zone (10–30m): Designed to slow fire spread before it reaches your home.

Immediate Zone (0–1.5m): Ember-Proofing Your Home

✅ Create a non-combustible buffer with gravel, concrete, or stone around your home’s perimeter.
✅ Keep gutters and roof areas free of debris that could ignite from embers.
✅ Enclose eaves, vents, and decks with non-combustible materials to prevent ember entry.

Intermediate Zone (1.5–10m): Smart Landscaping & Fire Breaks

✅ Space trees at least 3 m apart to prevent fire from spreading between canopies.
✅ Choose fire-resistant plants like aspen, maple, and cherry instead of flammable species like juniper, cedar, and pine.
✅ Keep firewood piles at least 10 m away from structures and store them in a FireSmart shed.
✅ Avoid using combustible mulch near the home—opt for rock or gravel instead.
✅ Regularly remove dry leaves, branches, and pine needles from the ground.

Extended Zone (10–30m): Reducing Fire Intensity

✅ Maintain tree spacing to reduce the chance of crown fires.
✅ Prune tree branches up to 2m from the ground to prevent surface fire spread.
✅ Keep grass cut to less than 10cm to limit fire intensity.
✅ Remove dead or dying trees that could fuel a wildfire.

Remember: If a home doesn’t ignite, a home doesn’t burn!