FireSmart™

Properly disposing of yard waste helps reduce wildfire risk, protect local ecosystems, and keep organic material out of the landfill.

Yard waste pickup and drop-off options vary by community and service area. The CVRD and partner organizations may also offer seasonal FireSmart-funded programs, such as yard waste drop-off events, debris removal or wood chipper programs.

Check back this fall for FireSmart-funded yard waste drop-off programs.

Choosing the right plants and landscape materials can help reduce wildfire risk and support water conservation.

Learn about FireSmart and water-wise landscaping options

Invasive plants can be disposed of at the Comox Valley Waste Management Centre. Before disposing of invasive plants, check the Invasive Plants & Alternatives page for more information.

• Store all combustibles at least 10 metres from your home
• Regularly remove leaves and debris from your yard
• Pack a grab-and-go bag
• Maintain lawns and grass to 10 centimetres or less
  
  
  
   

• Remove leaves and debris from your yard
• Prune and mow all seasonal vegetation
• Check decks and staircases for damage and debris
• Remove debris from gutters
• Schedule a free, professional FireSmart Home Assessment

• Register for the free FireSmart 101 Course
• Prepare your property for winter weather
• Create a conifer pruning and maintenance plan for spring
• Make an evacuation plan in preparation for spring

• Remove debris from gutters
• Store firewood, outdoor furniture, and sports equipment at least 10 metres from your home
• Prune trees and plants within 2 metres of the ground
• Plan your garden with the FireSmart Landscaping Guide
• Volunteer for a Local FireSmart Collective Program community event

The immediate zone is a non-combustible area that starts at the house and extends to a 1.5 metre perimeter around the home and attached structures, including decks. Reduce the chance of wind-blown embers igniting your home by starting with these proactive steps:

• Choose non-combustible building materials when constructing or renovating your home
• Clear vegetation and combustible material down to mineral soil and cover with non-combustible materials like gravel, brick, or concrete
• Avoid planting woody shrubs or trees. If any are present, prune and maintain them regularly
• Plant fire-resistant vegetation and select non-combustible landscaping materials
• Avoid incorporating any woody debris, including mulch
• Keep combustible items like firewood piles, construction materials, patio furniture, tools, and decorative pieces out of this zone
• Move trailers, recreational vehicles, storage sheds, and other combustible structures into the extended zone. If that's not possible, store firewood inside your mitigated garage, shed, or other ember-resistant structures
• Create a non-combustible ground cover, like a gravel pad, underneath and 1.5 metres around trailers, recreational vehicles, and sheds

Elements in the intermediate zone are managed so they don’t transmit fire to your home. Here are a few actions you can take to reduce your home’s vulnerability:

• Selectively remove evergreen trees to create at least 3 metres of horizontal space between the single or grouped tree crowns
• Remove all branches to a height of 2 metres from the ground
• Regularly clean up accumulations of fallen branches, dry grass, and needles to eliminate potential surface fuels

The goal in the extended zone is not to eliminate fire, but to reduce its intensity. If your property extends into this zone, a few important steps you can take include:

• Continue to apply these principles if your property extends beyond 30 m
• Work with your neighbours in overlapping zones and seek guidance of a forest professional if affected by other conditions, like steep slopes

Four of the five most destructive wildfire seasons in our province's history have happened since 2017. Driven by climate change and multi-year droughts, wildfires in BC are increasing in frequency, size, and severity, affecting communities, ecosystems, and air quality.

If you'd like to learn more about how you can reduce the risk of wildfire damage to your property, businesses, strata complex, farms, and more, call or visit your local fire department, or email the regional FireSmart Coordinator at firesmartcv@comoxvalleyrd.ca. 

Find your local fire department

• FireSmart Wildfire Hazard Assessment – Neighbourhood Recognition Program
• FireSmart 101 is a short, free one-hour course for those getting started with FireSmart.
• Read through the basics: FireSmart Principles
• Doing some landscaping on your property? Read the FireSmart Landscaping Guide before you start.
• Make sure you're prepared with the FireSmart Last Minute Evacuation Checklist!