When many people think of wildfires in Alberta, they may think of remote northern areas of our province and grass fires, however wildfire could happen a lot closer to home.
According to provincial statistics in 2017, more than 1,200 wildfires burned across Alberta and Leduc Fire Services has developed valuable resources to help residents and property owners take a more proactive role to be fire safe.
“If you wait, it may be too late,” says Leduc Deputy Fire Chief Gerry Kelly. “Adopting fire safe practices in and around your home is one of the best lines of defense when faced with a fire emergency, and it’s our job to help Leduc residents know what to do and how best to prepare.”
To be fire safe, it affects many aspects of the exterior of your home including yard improvements. The Fire Prevention division of Leduc’s local fire service recommends the following:
- Plant fire-resistant trees and plants
- Use gravel and stone mulch instead bark and pine needle mulch
- Keep wood piles away from the house or any other yard structures and ensure the area is cleaned regularly of any debris
- Have on-site fire tools ready and accessible to help suppress a fire. These include rakes, shovels, garden hoses, ladders and sprinklers
Making your property fire safe requires extra attention to the exterior of your home, to include the roof, gutters, chimney, siding, windows, doors, decks, fences, sheds, eaves and vents. Fire safe recommendations apply to all properties in Leduc, in particular those that neighbor any greenspace or tree stand where a fire could easily ignite and spread.
“Historically, Leduc has not experienced any major issues with urban wildfires, in which we are thankful and attribute to the positive actions and cooperation of our citizens,” adds Kelly.
Leduc Fire has a number of helpful online resources available through Leduc.ca/fire, along with hard copies ready for pick-up at Fire House 1 (4119 – 50th Street). To learn more, go online or call 780-980-8475.
-Leduc Fire Services is an integrated department dedicated to providing community and emergency services with a vision to become a recognized leader in fire and emergency medical services. Our motto is ‘Our Family Protecting Yours.’ You can find us online at Leduc.ca/fire, Facebook.com/LeducFireServices and Twitter (@LeducFire).