The British Columbia Automobile Association (BCAA) announced it has entered into a multi-year partnership with FireSmart BC, a provincial program committed to building wildfire resiliency in the province. The partnerships’ stated goal is to protect more homes in British Columbia communities from the spread of wildfire.

“British Columbians say they want to become better informed about wildfire resilience with 72 % indicating they want to learn how to better protect their home and 88 % saying that homeowners need more support to do so,” the association states in its announcement about the partnership.

“The new BCAA-FireSmart BC initiative will add to the work that FireSmart BC is already leading in wildfire preparedness and prevention in the province. BCAA’s investment will increase educational outreach by fire prevention experts in remote, at-risk communities that are under-resourced, and expand access to FireSmart BC’s Home Partners Program.”

The program provides free professional home assessments with property-specific recommendations. “Once changes to the property are made, the home is FireSmart certified, significantly lowering the risk of damage and loss and the chance of the fire spreading further into the community,” they add, saying over time the partnership will expand to offer financial assistance towards the cost of making changes needed to be certified, along with home insurance discounts for those taking part in the program.

“Homeowners are our first line of defence,” says the FireSmart BC website. “Those messy gutters, that unmowed lawn and the wood piled against the house are wildfire risks within each homeowner’s control. At this point, most people know that small tasks, common chores, and a little elbow grease can make a big difference and that inaction could have serious consequences.”

The announcement also provides a list of tips, including to consider metal gates where wooden fences meet the home, to create a break and slow fire progression.

Initiated by the BC Wildfire Service in May 2017, they add that the program is a collaboration between FireSmart Canada, FireSmart BC, provincial and local governments, Indigenous communities, the private sector and homeowners.