The FireSmart program has recognized the Predator Ridge community for its good work in reducing wildfire risks for the 3rd straight year.
The community has been actively involved in the FireSmart program since adopting it in 2016, the same year as the Fort McMurray wildfires. The program encourages communities to work together in reducing fire hazards. As part of their activities, the Predator Ridge FireSmart organizing committee held two fuel clean-up days where residents gathered fine fuel from their property and laddered trees (cutting off the lower tree branches to reduce the possibility that a fire will climb to the treetops).
“We held six FireSmart events in 2018,” said Kathy Pedersen, Chair of the Predator Ridge FireSmart Committee. “This included two education events, where we introduced—or re-introduced—homeowners to the FireSmart principles; a property clean up event; two Vegetation Management Clean-up events; and public outreach and education at the Era of Megafires movie presentation, so 2018 was a busy FireSmart year at Predator Ridge.”
The FireSmart program provides homeowners with the knowledge they need to take action to protect their property. Participants learn about fires and also get the satisfaction of taking direct action to protect themselves. It is a very empowering feeling, and people leave with a better understanding of wild fires.
“Predator Ridge is a model of how communities can come together to improve fire safety in the Wildland Urban Interface,” said Vernon Fire Rescue Services Chief David Lind. “This community understands what it means to live in an interface area and recognizes the importance of property owners taking steps to protect their property.”
The FireSmart organizing committee also hosted a local screening of the film The Era of Megafires, which was well attended and featured a Q&A session with Chief Lind.
A report from the Predator Ridge community on their FireSmart initiatives is attached.
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Attachment: Predator Ridge FireSmart Events for 2018 report (please download the PDF version of the news release to read the report).
Additional media inquiries:
Kathy Pedersen, Chair,
Predator Ridge FireSmart Committee
Kathy_Pedersen@shaw.ca