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Wildland Urban Interface and FireSmart
What is Wildlan Urban Interface?
Wildland Urban Interface is the area where human development meets or intermingles with the natural environment. Simply put, Wildland Urban Interface is where the urban lifestyle meets the forested area.
Over many decades fuels have accumulated in forested areas of the province. Fire is a natural process in the environment. Disturbance intervals are times when a wildfire would be expected to burn in an area in a normal natural cycle but is stopped due to fire suppression resources. As disturbance intervals increase over many decades, forest fuels have accumulated; forest health has declined while the potential risk of wildfires continues to grow. As we have become increasingly successful at suppressing forest fires to protect our timber resources and communities, we are inadvertently altering the forest landscape.
Are You At Risk From Wildfire?
There are two types of fire that you should be aware of; the fire that threatens your property from an outside source, and secondly, the fire which originates from your activities. Wildfire from either source can be extremely destructive.
Be FireSmart!
The FireSmart program provides information to give communities and individuals across Manitoba and Canada the information and tools they need to confront interface fire protection issues. Forested and wildland areas are highly desirable places to live. What makes them so attractive, however, also makes them hazardous. While vegetation is an amenity for residents, it is nothing more than a source of fuel for a fire. The Office of the Fire Commissioner’s (OFC) goal is to reduce personal and property losses that result from wildfires in the Wildland Urban Interface. To achieve this, the OFC promotes awareness of fire safety and prevention.
The preventative work done now by you and your neighbors reduces fire hazards and protects your investment and the forest against wildfire.
How Prepared Are You?
FireSmart Canada has developed a FREE one-hour course for those who are getting started with FireSmart and want to learn more.
FireSmart 101
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Other FireSmart Information and Material
FireSmart Canada’s Wildfire Community Preparedness Day is a national campaign that is observed annually the first Saturday in May, and encourages citizens to take actions that increase their home, neighbourhood and community’s resilience to wildfire.
FireSmart Canada in collaboration with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction (ICLR), and The Co-operators supports this annual event by offering the $500 award to fund a prep-day for your community events.
FireSmart Canada’s Neighbourhood Recognition Program (NRP) is a national program developed to officially recognize neighbourhoods that have taken critical steps to reduce their vulnerability to wildland fire. The program focuses on bringing neighbours together to address threats on their respective properties, and those in common areas within the community.
Ember, the FireSmart Fox is the offical mascot of FireSmart. Mainly geared at teaching children how to be fire smart, but can be educational for all age groups. Check out the FireSmart website to see videos, play games and print off coloring sheets.
Check out FireSmart’s website to get more information:
You can also follow FireSmart Canada on Facebook, X, Instagram and LinkedIn
FireSmart Begins at Home Guide
Wildfires are unpredictable, but you can take steps to create defensible space around your home to reduce an approaching wildfire's volatility. Take a wildfire safety quiz, assess your home's structural and site hazards, and learn the steps you can take to reduce your home's susceptibility to fire.
FireSmart Home Owner's Assessment
FireSmart Home Owner's Assessment: FireSmart begins at home. Determine your home and property's wildfire risk by answering the questions in the assessment to see what changes will make the greatest difference in reducing your home's risk from wildfire. Find the assessment inserted in the back of the FireSmart Home Owners Manual. (only available on-line)
FireSmart Landscaping
Every year many homes in the Province of Manitoba are threatened by wildfire. This FireSmart landscaping guide provides homeowners with the information they need to protect their homes from wildfires through appropriate landscaping techniques. (only available on-line)
FireSmart your Farm
Farmers and Ranchers face special burning challenges. This guide provides recommendations on hazard mitigation and vegetation management to reduce wildfire risk to your operation. Easy steps to make your burn barrel FireSmart. FireSmart construction materials and more... (only available on-line)
