The Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen is offering free FireSmart assessments for people in strata, manufactured homes, and gated communities.
The free neighbourhood wildfire hazard assessments will help identify ways to make those neighbourhoods safer from wildfires.
Now is the time to take steps to protect your property, not when the fire is across the road, says the RDOS.
“By booking your free neighbourhood assessment, you’re taking a first step toward keeping your home and neighbourhood safe from the risk of wildfire,” said Kerry Riess, RDOS FireSmart Coordinator. “A member of the RDOS FireSmart team will visit your community to evaluate the risks and help you get a plan in place.”
The RDOS FireSmart team has expanded its services to create the strata and neighbourhood assessment process.
The region recently marked 19 communities that are designated FireSmart, with volunteers being sought in the Similkameen to expand the list further.
READ MORE: Regional District marks 19 FireSmart communities
This involves evaluating the community’s risk of wildfire and recommending proactive actions to improve a home’s chance of survival by identifying vulnerabilities to embers and small surface fires, immediate risks in the area, and concerns from surrounding spaces.
The assessment will also look at the condition of the structures, general landscaping, the slope of the neighbourhood and the density of the region.
For further information, please visit firesmart.rdos.bc.ca or contact Kerry Riess, RDOS FireSmart Coordinator.
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