Updates and Clarification from our Firesmart Assessor Doug

 Hi folks

 Hope you are making the best of the wet June. What a difference a year makes. Thanks again for your diligence in reducing the wildfire risk to your cabins and to the community at Baldy. 

I have been getting some phone calls and emails so want to clarify my recommendations.

As well I want to update the most common issues identified in the assessments completed so far.   

I conducted my assessments on the assumption that most people have limited resources to put into their cabin and that you want to maintain as many trees as possible. My recommendations were made with the intent of helping you focus your efforts on work that will provide the most protection to the cabins. 

You may want to achieve the full Firesmart standards immediately. Let me know and I will help you with a plan. 

Common Issues in order of importance

Cabins: 

1. Establish a minimum of 15 cm non-combustible vertical clearance from ground and/or porch surface to bottom of siding around the entire cabin, as well as additions and porches.

2. Research and install solid non-combustible decking and remove combustible material stored/accumulated under the deck. Option is to enclose this area under the deck to reduce the chance of embers igniting anything stored there. 

3. Improve firewood storage to reduce chance of ignition. Options= Move it away from cabins in fire season, cover it with fireproof tarps, construct storage to Firesmart guidelines away from the cabin or enclose existing storage to Firesmart guidelines. 

4. Repair or replace combustible siding.

5. Close in eaves and soffits.

6. Check that all vents are fire rated or screened with 3mm. metal mesh. 

7. Research options to make stairs and walkways fire resistant. 

1.5 m. area around cabins:

1. Rake or scrape a fuel free strip to mineral soil around the entire footprint of the cabin including walkways, stairs, additions and outbuildings. 

2. Move doormats, outdoor furniture and other combustible items inside the house when leaving for any length of time during fire season. 

 1.5m. out from cabin to lot line:

1. Review outbuildings and remove or bring to Firesmart Guidelines

2. Remove all vegetation and clear down to mineral soil a minimum of 3 meters around all large propane tanks.

3. Remove all surface logs and branches.

4. Remove firewood piles and/or construction material or cover with a fireproof tarp and create the 1.5m. fuel free to mineral soil around them. 

5. Keep trees as far away from the cabin as possible (all foliage 3 to 5 meters away) 

   - if keeping a tree within this distance prune to a height where all portions of the lowest branch are at least 2m. above ground and establish a fuel free area down to mineral soil for a 1m. radius around the base of the tree. 

6. Remove all small trees growing under large ones.

    - if keeping these small trees prune to a height that maintains 50% crown and establish a fuel free area down to mineral soil for a 1m. radius around the base. 

7. Remove all dead standing trees.

8. Space mature trees to an inter-tree distance that maintains crown closure (ie: the tips of the branches of adjoining trees just touch) and prune to a height where all portions of the lowest branch are at least 2m. above ground. 

We are researching the solid, fire resistant decking options and fire proof tarps. Will keep you posted. 

Other common problems are empty lots with heavy fuel loads and neighbors that aren't doing any Firesmart work. We are working on this. Again, be aware that the Strata Council is looking at creating a Firesmart by-law. 

Don't get overwhelmed by the work. Anything you do improves the resiliency of your cabin. Start at the house and work out as time, money and energy permit. 

Call anytime.

 

Doug MacLeod

250-499-1075