Residents are being encouraged to take simple steps around their homes to help reduce wildfire risk and strengthen Cranbrook’s overall resilience during wildfire season.
FireSmart B.C. resources and self-guided home assessments are available to help homeowners identify practical ways to make their properties less vulnerable to wildfire.
Wildfire risk is a reality for communities such as Cranbrook, where surrounding forests, weather patterns and local conditions can increase the potential for wildfire impacts. While emergency responders play a critical role during an incident, community-wide preparedness can help reduce the risk before a fire starts.
“FireSmart is one of the most important steps we can take as community members to reduce wildfire risk. Our crews will always be ready to respond, but the reality is that protecting homes and neighbourhoods often starts well before an emergency,” said Fire Chief Scott Driver.
Actions such as clearing combustible materials away from buildings, maintaining vegetation and removing debris from roofs and gutters can help limit the spread of fire between properties.
Driver said small, consistent efforts by individual homeowners can have a meaningful impact across an entire neighbourhood.
“Property maintenance and small, consistent actions add up. We’re asking residents to take a look at their own properties, use the FireSmart tools that are available, and take those steps where they can. If we each do our part, we put our community in a much stronger position.”
The city continues to promote wildfire preparedness through public education and awareness efforts. While provincial funding decisions have delayed plans for in-person FireSmart property assessments, residents can still access a range of online resources and assessment tools.
The message reinforces an approach Cranbrook has emphasized in recent years: building wildfire resilience is a shared responsibility.
Residents are encouraged to review FireSmart B.C. materials and complete a home assessment using the resources available at firesmartbc.ca and firesmartbc.ca/resource/hiz-self-assessment/.
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