FireSmart is a planning tool designed to reduce the likelihood of large uncontrollable wildfires in forests near communities and infrastructure. It is built on partnerships between government, industry and homeowners.
Anarchist Mountain is considered a high-risk zone for wildfires because of the dryness, the vegetation, the terrain, winds and the susceptibility to dry lightning strikes. In essence, we live in a fire-based ecological zone which guarantees that wildfires are part of normal life here.
A number of levels of support are available to you as a private homeowner.
ANARCHIST MOUNTAIN FIRE DEPARTMENT AND FIRESMART
Our Anarchist Mountain Fire Department is a well-trained set of volunteers dedicated to respond to emergencies on the Mountain including wildfires, vehicle accidents, medical emergencies, and structure house fires.
EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION AND FIRESMART
Our community has developed additional protocols to help us in time of emergencies. With experienced volunteers who have served in related situations, ENPrep (Emergency Notification & Preparation) oversees keeping residents informed of how to best be notified in the event of large scale emergencies, such as a wildfire, that requires preparation for evacuation.
ENPrep falls under the direction of Anarchist Mountain Fire Rescue Society and also works alongside the Fire Department Chief in the event of an emergency.
The Mountain is split up into zones, of which each zone has an Area Lead. If you are new to the community, you will be approached by an Area Lead so that you know how to be informed in the event of an emergency.
IF YOU SPOT A FIRE:
BC WILDFIRE
To report a wildfire in our area, call 911.
To report a wildfire elsewhere in BC, call
1-800-663-5555 Toll Free or
*5555 from your cell phone
BC WILDFIRE SERVICES
If we experience a large wildfire on the mountain, the BC Wildfire Services will support the AMFD in addressing the situation with trained fire crews.
Information regarding their services is available at: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/wildfire-status
Important information regarding the current status of wildfires is available at:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/wildfire-status/wildfire-situation
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
Residents can refer to both Federal and Provincial -based sources on emergency planning. Both levels of government encourage having a go/72 hour bag in case you need to evacuate. This is intended to help you through 3 days following an emergency without outside support. This is a very important plan for any emergencies you might experience, beyond that of wildfires.
The following websites provide up-to-date information on how to prepare your own emergency plan: you can print these out for your own use:
Canada: https://www.getprepared.gc.ca/cnt/rsrcs/pblctns/yprprdnssgd/index-en.aspx
ANARCHIST MOUNTAIN FIRESMART COMMITTEE
Now falling under the Anarchist Mountain Fire Rescue Society, the Anarchist Mountain FireSmart Committee was created in 2013”to help our neighbours in protecting the community from wildfire”. We are proud of the fact that of the original six communities recognized, we are the only one that has successfully recertified each year since.
People living in forested areas need to be aware of the wildfire threat and ways they can take action to make their home and community become “FireSmart”.
HOW CAN THE ANARCHIST MOUNTAIN FIRESMART COMMITTEE HELP YOU?
Home Assessments: We would be happy to provide a free home and property assessment to help you evaluate your personal wildfire risk. We take about an hour with you, walking around your house and property, to help you view your home in the light of risks from wildfires or embers.
Equipment Rentals: Some specialized equipment is available for rental to help you FireSmart your own property. A wheeled heavy-duty trimmer, a power lopper, and a manual pole trimmer are available at a small fee to help you with those special projects. For further information, see Equipment Rentals in the FireSmart Resources Section below.
The Wapiti Pit: We are fortunate in having a special drop-off location for wildfire fuel at the Wapiti Pit on Wapiti Road, thanks to the gracious permission from Osoyoos Mountain Estates. Drop-offs are generally scheduled between late April and early September, weather permitting. Information is provided on an ongoing basis through the Anarchist Mountain Community Society website.
Ongoing Programs: Each year we feature a Community Wildfire Preparedness Day of Education as well as offering ongoing special events to be notified through the Anarchist Mountain Community Society website.
For questions about FireSmart or ENPrep, please email: amfrs@amfd.ca
Valuable Links
Go to FireSmart Canada to get more information:
https://www.firesmartcanada.ca/what-is-firesmart
- BC Air Quality: Check the Venting Index before you burn
To check current ventilation conditions:
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/epd/epdpa/venting/venting.html
Wildfire Hazard Assessment – Request
The hazard assessment form provides a point rating score for the condition of your home, surrounding structures, adjacent vegetation and other factors affecting the FireSmart status of your property. This will provide the homeowner with an action plan both short and long term to create a sustainable balance in a wildland urban interface setting.
To book an assessment you can contact: Gerry Moran gerry_moran@telus.net
Check Out the FireSmarting Rentals
Click to see the equipment available: Rentals