How do I protect my home from wildfire?

Create defensible space by clearing flammable material near the home, ember-proof it by cleaning the roof and gutters and screening vents, and choose fire-resistant roofing and siding.

What ignites most homes in a wildfire?

Wind-blown embers, not direct flames, ignite most homes — landing in gutters, on roofs, and in vents. Clearing debris and screening openings is highly effective.

Protecting Your Home from Wildfire

Much of BC's interior faces serious wildfire risk, and most homes lost to wildfire are ignited by wind-blown embers, not a wall of flame. The good news is that homeowner steps — the FireSmart approach — meaningfully improve a home's odds.

Create defensible space

Keep the area within about 1.5 metres of the home free of anything flammable — no mulch, woodpiles, shrubs, or debris against the walls. Move firewood and combustibles away, and maintain a low-vegetation, well-watered zone around the house.

Ember-proof the home

Embers get into homes through vents, gaps, and gutters. Clean debris from the roof and gutters, screen vents with fine mesh, and seal gaps under decks and eaves. A clean roof and clear gutters are among the highest-impact steps.

Choose fire-resistant materials

When replacing a roof, siding, or decking in a fire-prone area, choose fire-resistant materials — metal or class-A roofing, non-combustible siding, and ember-resistant decking. The roof matters most, since it catches falling embers.

Protecting Your Home from Wildfire

Create defensible space

Ember-proof the home

Choose fire-resistant materials

Frequently asked questions