LAC LA BICHE - The Fire Smart program has been very successful in mitigating wildfire risks in the Lac La Biche area, says John Kokotilo, the regional fire chief for Lac La Biche County.
The program is administered in Alberta municipalities and nationwide to teach homeowners how to protect their properties from the risk of wildfire, Lac La Biche County Fire Services conducts free home assessments and free wood chipping services for residents as part of the program.
Kokotilo says many folks have signed up, and interest in the program is growing.
“So far this year we have 150 assessments and 35 wood chipping appointments, and we are still getting requests, it’s ongoing,” he told Lakeland This Week on July 22 as the wildfire hazard across the region was listed as Extreme.
In a bid to make more people aware of the program, officials with Lac La Biche County Fire Services have been promoting Fire Smart in the community. On May 15, the local fire department hosted community preparedness events in Holowachuk Estates and at Jubilee Park in Young’s Beach to educate residents about wildfire prevention and the Fire Smart program. There was also an exhibit on the grounds of the Lac La Biche Mission during this year’s Canada Day celebrations.
Those events, Kokotilo explained, were very successful and drew a lot of interest from residents as well as home assessment bookings.
Fire Services, he continued, will also have a booth set up during Lac La Biche Summer Days on Aug 2-4 for anyone who might be interested in learning more about the Fire Smart program.
What are the benefits of getting a home assessment, particularly at a time when the risk of wildfires is so great? As Kokotilo says, the program really works, and is invaluable for homeowners to protect their property should they be faced with an impeding wildfire.
“Most residents find the information provided is really valued and only with a little manual labor most properties can be “fire smarted” from the vegetation management side,” he said. “We also have a grant incentive, the “Wildfire Mitigation Incentive Program” to lessen the financial burden for our residents keen on fire smarting their properties.”
He added that Lac La Biche County is one of 10 municipalities in Canada to have been chosen for this grant due to the success of the Fire Smart program. By getting an advanced Fire Smart assessment, Kokotilo said, homeowners can receive up to $3,750.00 75 (75 per cent of $5,000.00 (max)) for costs incurred that may reduce the risk of wildfire loss on their properties, including the replacement of windows to fire-resistant triple panes, replacing high fire hazard roofing like wood shakes curled shingles, replacing vinyl siding with fire-resistant material, laddering trees, along with taking away combustible materials around the home, and closing in decks.
“Getting an Advanced Fire Smart Assessment may also reduce your fire insurance for your property,” he said, adding that some customers have seen reduction in their insurance as high as 40 per cent.
Kokotilo said Lac La Biche County Fire Services began administering the Fire Smart program in 2017. In that first year, the fire department received the Alberta Fire Smart Community Protection Achievement Award for its success with the program.
To apply for a home assessment, residents are asked to visit the Lac La Biche County website, and go to the Fire Smart pages to fill out the online form.
Kokotilo added that the public is always welcome to drop by the Protective Services building and Lac La Biche County’s Fire Station #1 on Beaver Hill Road to discuss the Firesmart program and other initiatives offered by the Lac La Biche County Fire Services.
