Make your property FireSmart

What can Whistler residents do to reduce the impact of wildfires?

Schedule a FREE FireSmart home assessment

Contact Scott Rogers, FireSmart Coordinator
604-966-4173
srogers@whistler.ca">srogers@whistler.ca

FireSmart home tips

• Whistler FireSmart brochure – General FireSmart recommendations for Whistler 
• FireSmart Homeowner's Manual – Detailed FireSmart recommendations for homes and yards; a self-assessment tool; evacuation tips

Tip 1
The most important step you can take to reduce the combustibility of your home is to ensure your roof is made of non-combustible material. This includes metal, tile, and stone.

Tip 2
Remove tree debris, brush and yard waste from around your home or strata property. Aside from having a non-combusitble roof, this is the next most impactful step to protect your home and property. Yard waste burning is not allowed however, there is free yard waste drop-off from April to November at Whistler's Waste Depots. 

Tip 3
Read the FireSmart Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction Report on why some houses survived the Fort McMurray fire – An overwhelming majority of homes that had a Low or Moderate FireSmart hazard rating survived, while those that were rated High or Extreme did not. 

Construction 

• FireSmart home development guide – FireSmart construction and renovation recommendations, including roof materials and design; siding, vents and openings; gutters and eaves; decks and porches; fencing and landscaping
• FireSmart combustible siding fact sheet – general recommendations about materials for building siding

Landscaping

• FireSmart landscaping guidelines – recommendations about highly flammable plants to avoid, xeriscaping, and fire-resistant plant

Neighbourhoods

• FireSmart priority zones – an infographic outlining FireSmart priority zones; work with your neighbours to protect your property and neighbourhood

Tree Cutting Permits

In some cases, a Development Permit or Tree Cutting Permit is required before completing work that changes landscaping or removes vegetation or trees.

If your property is in a Development Permit Area, a Development Permit  is required before beginning any development that includes alteration of land, including landscaping or removal of vegetation or trees.

A Tree Cutting Permit must be obtained prior to cutting, topping or limbing any tree that is: