We know that keeping the community safe from wildfire is in everyone's interest. While we recognize that dead trees on public property may be concerning to some residents, the Town of Canmore is not accepting requests for individual tree removal.
Canmore is a FireSmart community, and vegetation management to increase community resilience to wildfire is assessed on a priority basis based on the direction of wildfire behaviour specialists. At this time, the Town of Canmore, in partnership with the MD of Bighorn, Kananaskis Improvement District, and Alberta Forestry and Parks is focusing on the construction of a fireguard. To learn more about this project, visit the Bow Valley Community Fireguard webpage.
FireSmart
Protecting our Town from Wildfire
The updated Wildfire Mitigation Strategy provides a road map for FireSmart activities for the Town 2018 - 2022 and includes an updated hazard assessment, wildland fuel type, wildfire behaviour potential maps, vegetation management options, and FireSmart recommendations.
The Home Ignition Zone
Homes ignite due to the condition of the home itself and everything that surrounds it out to 100 metres from the foundation.
FireSmart principles are designed to mitigate a home’s vulnerability to wildfire. Working within the home ignition zone begins with the house and then working outwards, undertaking steps to reduce fuel for embers, a surface fire, and large flames. Learn more from FireSmart Canada about how to use FireSmart principles within the 100 metre ignition zone.
Protect your Home
Change your roofing material to non-combustible options such as metal, asphalt, clay, or composite rubber tiles. As of March 2018, all roofs new and repaired roofs in Canmore are to be constructed out of materials with a minimum Class B fire rating.
- Remove debris from your gutters.
- Screen your gutters with metal mesh to reduce the amount of debris that can accumulate.
- Sheath in the base of the decks, balconies, and houses with fire-resistant material.
- Store combustible lawn furniture or deck storage boxes away from your home.
- Avoid the following plants within 10 metres of your home: cedar, juniper, pine, tall grass, spruce.
- Remove dry leaves, twigs and branches from your yard and gutters.
- Do not use bark or pine needle mulches within 10 metres of your home as they are highly combustible. Gravel mulch and decorative crushed rock mulch significantly reduce the risk of wildfire.
- Move your firewood pile away from the side of your home.
- Remove tree branches within 2 metres of the ground will help stop surface fires from moving into the treetops.