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FireSmart ready to assess homes in Revelstoke for fire resiliency

The city received a 190, 000 grant from the Community Resiliency Investment Program.
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Revelstoke residents now have the opportunity to have their homes assessed by FireSmart, thanks to a $190,000 grant the city received from the provincial government’s Community Resiliency Investment (CRI) Program.

The grant will fund a FireSmart program which, according to a press release from the city, “focuses on actions that communities can take to increase their resiliency to wildfire.”

The grant will provide a rebate for homeowners of up to $1,000, for undertaking fire resiliency measures.

The grant covers 50 per cent of the costs associated with changes made to properties, so homeowners will have to spend at least $1,000 of their own money.

Lauren Marfleet of FireSmart explained that interested homeowners can contact her at firesmart@revelstoke.ca, to arrange an assessment. Homeowners will then be given suggestions to make their properties better resistant to fire.

Marfleet explained that plans would vary depending on the property, but some notable problems they have seen have been cedar hedges. “Cedar hedges go up really intensely, they’re really hot and burn really quickly,” said Marfleet.

Marfleet also said that if homeowners are renovating they may want to consider choosing something less combustible such as hardy plank siding or metal. She also noted that vents should have a screening as to prevent embers from flying in, and that the materials of the vents should be checked to ensure that it’s not a combustible material.

When it comes to embers and wildfire, Marfleet said that while many people think flames are the biggest threat, in reality close to 90 per cent of the time, it’s embers falling that ignite communities.

After homeowners have implemented FireSmart’s suggested changes, they will need to show before and after photos to receive compensation for the time and materials spent on the work.

Marfleet noted that people in Revelstoke have been concerned about wildfire safety and are looking to be proactive. Because of this, FireSmart “wants to keep that momentum going and hopefully this program will help with that.”

There will be a Family Fun Day at the Revelstoke fire hall, Saturday, June, 15 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

READ MORE: New childcare facility in Revelstoke