Residents can take steps to help mitigate the risk of ember fires starting on a property or near a home. Keep a garden hose ready.
These steps are important and if not done so yet, should be acted upon immediately.
- Start by removing branches, leaves, pine needles, and other combustible materials from your roof, gutters, balconies, doorways, windowsills, etc., paying particular attention to corners or other tight spots where debris tends to gather
- Clear all combustible plants (potted or hanging), leaves, weeds, etc. from within 10 metres of your home
- Remove all flammable furniture, toys, decorations, plants, etc. from your deck, applying the same 10-metre standard or moving them inside the house or garage. If your deck has a crawlspace beneath it, clear combustibles from there, too
- Mow any grass within the same 10-metre distance, preferably to a length of 10 centimetres or less
- Create a 1.5-metre non-combustible zone around the entire structure by raking and/or sweeping down to mineral soil, rock, or concrete
- Any moveable propane tanks should be kept at least 10 metres from your home. For stationary models, be sure to remove any leaves or other combustible materials from around the tank
- Any motor vehicles (cars, motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, campers etc.) should be parked inside the garage or at least 10 metres from the house
- If the property has a combustible fence attached to the home, secure the gate in an open position and clear away any vegetation or other flammable material from both sides of the fence
- Check all exterior vents to make sure they are properly screened and in good condition. Cover up any damaged or questionable vents with duct tape or metal tape
- The 10-metre rule also applies to woodpiles, but since moving larger ones can take hours, you may want to save this step for last
- Most of these measures also can be applied to sheds, detached garages, or other outbuildings, as well as places of business
- Fill large containers of water (like garbage cans or water barrels) and place them at the edge of your property along with buckets, shovels and rakes.
The City of Vernon is also asking residents to check on neighbours and work together as communities. It is suggested that people with transportation issues or who face barriers to mobility and movement be alerted and a plan developed for their evacuation, if necessary. These individuals should consider evacuating before the event of an Evacuation Order.
