The Rising Dangers of Wildfires
Recent events in regions across Canada have highlighted how wildfires are impacting our communities. The data shows we are experiencing more wildfires, and they continue to intensify in size and heat. Together these increases also threaten our ability to contain the wildfires as effectively. Many factors affect wildfire behaviour and year-over-year data shows that rising temperatures contribute to the increased frequency. With increasing heat, there will continue to be greater expanses of dry land and dry vegetative fuels to burn.
The Long Reach of Wildfires
When fires that ignite in wildland areas encroach on communities, they quickly threaten public health and safety and human-developed infrastructure; they can leave devastating effects in their wake, including:
- Risks to community safety from environmental hazards and damage to property
- Reduced and poor air quality for weeks from travelling smoke drifts
- Property damage and loss from fire, smoke and water damage
Preparing Your Properties
Wildfires spread quickly along great distances, mainly through sparks and embers that are carried by the wind. If there is a wildfire evacuation risk in your area:
- Move dry, flammable materials away from the property
- Firewood, branches, leaves
- Propane tanks
- Outdoor Furniture
- Turn off gas and electricity
- Keep doors and windows closed
Emergency Planning for Businesses
Recovering from destruction to property can be a long process. Mitigating your losses starts with advanced planning and having a fully-prepared restoration partner. A restoration partner can help you build emergency contingency plans and minimize your downtime so you can resume operations sooner.
- Learn More about Emergency Response Planning
- Learn More about Dealing with Wildfire Damage
- Examples of damage that can happen
- An overview of what to expect after a wildfire
- Safety procedures that will help you prepare your property
Where There’s Smoke, There’s Fire. Then There’s FIRST ONSITE.
The hard work of putting out a fire is just the beginning. We’re here to help with every aspect of the process, from assessing structural concerns and extracting water to removing soot, chemicals and debris. We’re ready to be the only smoke & fire recovery partner you’ll ever need.
Looking Ahead
Many lessons have been learned from disastrous wildfires, like the 2016 Fort McMurray wildfire that caused damage to buildings, income and environment—at a loss of nearly $9 billion. As we continue to build and expand our cities, we need to consider how our surroundings and environments can be more resilient to catastrophic events.
Integrating resilience into our building codes and practices is just one solution that can help us prepare and bounce back from natural disasters better. Fire-safe fittings should be an infrastructural necessity for properties, especially for fire-resistant roofs. Smaller fittings such as tempered windows and non-combustible downspouts can also help save a property from being destroyed.
Threatening wildfires and other catastrophic events provide an opportunity to re-shape our thinking about how our communities are planned and constructed to provide a safer, more sustainable environment.
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