The Resort Municipality of Whistler is continually working on and developing its wildfire strategies and has a number of programs and plans in place. Whistler’s wildfire program includes:
- Fuel thinning: to make it easier to fight wildfire, and reduce the ability of fire to spread between the forest into the community.
- FireSmart program: FireSmart property assessments, a wood chipper program and neighbourhood work days help property owners reduce wildfire risk in their yards by using fire resistant materials.
- Public education: Whistler Fire Rescue Service and our municipal Emergency Management Program deliver fire safety education and emergency preparedness information to the community and visitors.
Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan
The Resort Municipality of Whistler developed a Community Wildfire Protection Plan in 2011 that provided a comprehensive framework for reducing wildfire risk in our valley. The recommendations were implemented such as the wildfire fuel mitigation projects and FireSmart program. In 2021, the RMOW prepared the Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan (PDF) (CWRP) that takes into account what has been accomplished, what we’ve learned and identifies our path forward. It was adopted by Council in April 2022.
Watch the presentations by Dr. Lori Daniels and Bruce Blackwell, RPF, of B.A. Blackwell & Associates, from the June 30, 2021 wildfire workshop.
Whistler Community Wildfire Defence Plan
The Community Wildfire Defence Plan (PDF) provides an implementation strategy for the Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan. This includes policy, emergency planning and training.
Wildfire fuel reduction
Reducing the amount of highly combustible organic matter such as trees, woody debris and ground cover- is an important component of Whistler’s wildfire protection program.
The municipality is focused on:
- Fuel thinning projects to reduce fuels in high priority forested areas near neighbourhoods or critical municipal infrastructure.
- Create fuel breaks along forest service roads.
Learn more about fuel thinning projects and fuel breaks.
FireSmart program
Home and property owners also have a critical role to play in reducing Whistler’s wildfire risk.
The FireSmart Program provides education and practical support to homeowners to reduce the impact of wildfires on their properties.
The RMOW’s FireSmart coordinator and Whistler Fire Rescue Service deliver:
- fuel reduction projects (including adopt-a-trail, community chipper days, and FireSmart treatments on municipal properties)
- education and resources
- free FireSmart home and strata property assessments
Emergency preparedness
The municipality’s Emergency Program works with other local first response agencies to develop and implement plans to prepare for, respond to and recover from large-scale emergencies, including wildfires.
Wildfire exercises
The RMOW Emergency Program and Whistler Fire Rescue Service lead and participate in regular training exercises along with community partners and other agencies to test systems, improve communication and build capacity for responding to emergencies such as wildfires.
Related Files
Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan (PDF)
Whistler-Community-Wildfire-Defence-Plan-Final (PDF)
Whistler Community Defence Plan: Tactical Defence Sheets (PDF)