FireSmart

FireSmart. Safer communities, healthier forests… 

FireSmart helps protect homes and communities from the threat of wildfire. FireSmart uses preventative measures to reduce wildfire threat to Albertans and their communities while balancing the benefits of wildfire on the landscape.

Prescribed Fire – Supporting FireSmart Principles

	A Proactive Approach to Wildfire Management Prescribed fire is part of SRD's fire management policy that includes responsibility for wildfire protection and prevention. Wildfires burn regardless of boundaries and both prescribed fire and FireSmart programs can reduce the likelihood of large, uncontrollable wildfires that can threaten Albertans and their communities.
	Fire is an Essential Part of the Ecosystem Fire helps recycle nutrients, helps plants reproduce and creates a diverse habitat that benefits a variety of wildlife. Prescribed fire can help remove debris from the ground and thin out forests which can help reduce the wildfire hazard. These techniques are also used in the FireSmart program.
	The safety of Albertans is our top priority Prescribed fires are only pursued when specific conditions have been met and precautions to protect Albertans and their communities have been taken.
	Evan Thomas Prescribed Fire – An Example of Forest Management In 2011, about 40 prescribed fires were conducted across Alberta. The Evan Thomas prescribed fire (pictured) burned around 300 hectares in the Kananaskis Valley. This prescribed fire will help reduce mountain pine beetle habitat, restore diverse vegetation and reduce the threat of large scale wildfires to surrounding communities.

FireSmart Facts

FireSmart...

• Can reduce the likelihood of large uncontrollable wildfires in Alberta’s forests.
• Can improve the habitat for a number of species found in Alberta’s forests.
• Recognizes the benefit of introducing the controlled application of fire to sensitive and protected areas of the forest (prescribed fire).
• Is built on partnerships between government, industry and homeowners. Wildfires burn regardless of administrative boundaries.

By working together, we are moving toward a FireSmart Alberta:

• The Homeowners FireSmart Manual
• FireSmart Community Zones Map
• FireSmart Guidebook for Oil and Gas Industry

Requests for FireSmart Presentations and Other Materials

• For Your School
• For Your Community
• For Your Event
• Other (please specify)
• FireSmart Video
• FireSmart Manual

Fact Sheets

• Forests and Water– 2012 (2 pages)
• How different tree species impact the spread of wildfire– 2012 (2 pages)
• How disturbances shape our forests– 2012 (2 pages)
• Modeling the spread of wildfire– 2012 (2 pages)
• Proactive Forest Management: making the decision to disturb– 2012 (2 pages)

Related Information

Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers

• Best Management Practices for Wildfire Prevention

Partners in Protection

• Structure and Site Hazard Assessment - Home Assessment

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Updated: Aug 16, 2012