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The unusually damp, cool summer we are having in the North Okanagan has been a welcome break from the smoke and wildfire threat we are normally expriencing by this time of the year. As summers in British Columbia grow hotter and drier, the risk of wildfires continues to rise — especially in regions like ours. Whether you live in Vernon, Salmon Arm, Armstrong, or one of the many other rural North Okanagan area properties surrounded by forest, preparing your home for wildfire is essential for protecting your family, property, and peace of mind.
On May 1st, 2016 Ft. McMurray Alberta was the site of the most devastating wildfire in Alberta’s History, and the costliest disaster in Canadian history. Both the evacuation, and the recovery were handled with textbook execution, which dramatically minimized loss. Though there was no loss no life, 2400 home were lost, 2000 more were deemed too unsafe to return to, and 88,000 people were evacuated from their homes.
In 2024, The Jasper Wildfire burned over 80,000 acres of the world renown park and Canadian national treasure, as well as 358 structures within the park.
BC has also had its fare share of devastating fires. In 2003, there was the Okanagan Mountain Park & McLure, Barriere, Louis Creek fires, The McDougall Fire in Kelowna in August of 2023 where over 303 structures were lost, and one of the worst fires in BC’s history in Salmon Arm in 1998 that burned almost 6000 hectares.
You never think it will be you. Until it is.
Wildfire preparedness has been the key to the successful evacuation of hundreds of thousands of people with almost no loss of life and minimized the loss of homes & structures.
Wildfires are now a part of life in British Columbia. Smokey summers are the new normal, not the exception.
As a result, people are building homes differently, landscaping differently, and buying homes differently. According to a report released by BMO, factors like wildfires, floods, heatwaves, and storms will affect where 39% of Canadians choose to live in the next five years. That number grows with younger Canadians.
49% per cent of millennials and 54% of gen Z Canadians said they will consider extreme weather events when purchasing a home.
Insurance Broker Stephen Harris spoke to Global News for their story on Climate related disasters Climate change is affecting how Canadians plan to buy homes, report says - National | Globalnews.ca Harris said “homeowners should also have a clear understanding of what their home insurance covers and what it doesn’t.
He added: “It’s not just homeowners, renters also need to have the right coverage, especially if they live in flood or wildfire-prone areas. If a flood or wildfire is imminent, they may not be able to purchase coverage due to binding restrictions.”
He said Canadians should expect policy changes soon.
“The Insurance Bureau of Canada is currently working with the federal government on a National Flood Plan that is slated to be introduced in the coming years,” he said.
The federal government said it plans to implement a long-promised national flood insurance program sometime next year, setting aside $15 million in the 2025-26 fiscal year in its latest budget on April 16.
According to the climate change institute. Wildfire losses could more than double by 2030.
“Wildfire impacts on new housing in Canada could more than double total national wildfire losses, with damages in B.C. almost tripling. Ninety-two per cent of new wildfire losses could occur in just 20 municipalities, the majority of which would be located in B.C.”
“British Columbia stands to build a disproportionate number of new homes in high-hazard areas, and is the site of most of Canada’s new wildfire- and flood-related financial losses. The financial risk from new housing in flood and wildfire hazard zones could surpass $2 billion per year in B.C., with some areas facing losses in the hundreds of millions annually.”
So what can YOU do to both keep your family safe, but also be a better steward to the land you are responsible for?
1. Follow Zone reccomendations for your home/property
• Consider where you are purchasing a home/land. Does the land’s location increase your risk of being in a wildfire?
• Create a Defensible Space- remove the fuel
(A defensible space is a buffer zone between your home and the surrounding vegetation that helps slow or stop the spread of wildfire. The Firesmart BC website breaks the area surrounding your home into Zones and gives instructions on preparedness in each zone.)
Zone 1 (0–1.5 metres from your home)
• Remove all flammable materials (wood piles, propane tanks, dry leaves)
• Use non-combustible landscaping (gravel, stone, pavers)
• Keep gutters and roofs clear of debris
Zone 2 (1.5–10 metres)
• Trim trees and shrubs regularly
• Mow grass to under 10 cm
• Space trees at least 3 metres apart
Zone 3 (10–30 metres)
• Thin out dense forested areas
• Remove dead trees and underbrush
• Maintain access routes for emergency vehicles
2. Fireproof Your Home
• Install ember-resistant vents and screens on windows and soffits
• Use fire-resistant roofing materials like metal or asphalt shingles
• Seal gaps in siding, decks, and eaves to prevent ember intrusion
• Upgrade windows to double-pane or tempered glass
• Install a chimney spark arrester
| Remember: Ignition Source + Fuel = FIRE
Remove the fuel, and there can be no fire.
3. Prepare a "Go Bag"
Your bag should include:
• Water (4L per person per day)
• Non-perishable food
• First aid supplies
• Flashlights, batteries, and a radio
• Important documents and medications
• N95 masks (for smoke protection)
| TIP: If you do not have an emergency bag prepped, get it done. If you already have one, check it and replace anything expired or missing.
Keep your grab-and-go bag near your main exit.
4. Make a Wildfire Action Plan
• If there is a risk of evacuation in your area, keep your gas tank full.
• Identify multiple evacuation routes
• Designate a meeting place for family members
• Register for BC Emergency Alerts and local evacuation notices
• Don’t be a hero. If you are told to evacuate, leave. Staying in a fire zone not only puts your life and risk, it also puts the lives of firefighters and other emergency response personnel at risk.
| Tip from Firesmart British Columbia: “Make sure your family knows where the gas, electric, and water mains shut-off are!”
5. Schedule a Wildfire Risk Assessment
Consider hiring a professional to:
• Inspect your home’s vulnerabilities
• Recommend upgrades and landscaping changes
• Provide documentation for insurance purposes
Wildfires are a natural part of BC’s ecosystem, but with preparation, you can dramatically reduce your risk. Taking action now — before the smoke is in the air — is the best way to protect what matters most.