What is the RMOW doing to prepare for wildfires?

Whistler Council adopted the Resort Municipality of Whistler’s Wildfire Protection Strategy in January 2017. The strategy integrates the municipality’s Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) and Landscape Scale Fire Behaviour Model report into a comprehensive strategic plan. The strategy includes 17 prioritized recommendations for planning, fuel reduction and outreach programs to reduce the impact of wildfire on Whistler.

Find out more about the Wildfire Mitigation Program in the November 20, 2018 presentation to council.

Fuel reduction

Fuel reduction 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

Taking steps to reduce the impact of wildfires is everyone’s responsibilities.

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 delivers:

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

Fire danger ratings

Whistler’s current Fire Danger Rating is updated daily by the BC Wildfire Service.

A permit is required for all campfires in Whistler.

Some construction activities are restricted and campfires are banned when the rating is High or Extreme.

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.

Prepare for 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.