The Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) has launched a FireSmart BC Wildfire Mitigation Program (WMP) in all four of its Electoral Areas, providing residents with access to free professional wildfire risk assessments to improve the area’s overall wildfire resiliency.
“Our staff working throughout the region have heard from homeowners who are asking us to offer the WMP,” said SLRD board chair Jen Ford in a release. “Our FireSmart team has taken all necessary training and is now ready to offer this comprehensive program to our residents.
“We hope homeowners will take advantage of this free program to make their homes more resilient to wildfires.”
The WMP provides a professional, on-site assessment of a property, tailored recommendations on mitigation actions in a follow-up report and potential FireSmart certification that can lead to insurance benefits. It builds on the more general Home Ignition Zone Assessment (HIZA) that is already available to SLRD residents.
Both the WMP and HIZA are available, free, to residents. Rebates of up to $5,000 are also available to residents who complete eligible fire mitigation work.
The SLRD also warned residents to be wary of scammers claiming to represent FireSmart BC or the Regional District offering wildfire protection products or services. And while there have only been a handful of reported incidents in B.C. over the last few years, scammers have been known to use wildfire preparedness clinics and evacuation orders to exploit people.
“We want to emphasize to our residents that our FireSmart program is delivered exclusively by trained SLRD staff and upon request only,” said Ford. “We never solicit services or information over the phone, and we don’t sell products or services.
“Assessments like the WMP are scheduled only when the homeowner has reached out directly to request one. If residents encounter individuals misrepresenting themselves, please contact us so we can address the situation.”
The WMP is already offered in Whistler, Pemberton and Squamish.
Residents can request a WMP assessment through the SLRD's FireSmart’s website, here. Residents can also phone 604-384-7323 or email [email protected] to schedule an assessment or get more information about either program.
To learn more, visit the SLRD’s FireSmart page.
