The Nelson Fire Department is coming to see you.
If you live in the interface zone, where our forests meet our city and homes, you likely had a firefighter come by your property last year to offer advice on reducing the risk of a fire.
The visits were free, did not commit participants to anything, and showed homeowners how cheap and effective a pro-active approach to firefighting can be.
Firefighter Scott Jeffery spearheaded the department’s Community Wildfire Education campaign and says the department was pleased with the outcome.
“Most of the people we talked to were happy to get some information on fire risks and to learn at least some basics of why some houses fare better than others when an interface fire comes to town.”
In rare cases, making a property completely “FireSmart” (the term the department has adopted) would have entailed large changes and expenses. For the most part, however, the work and money owners would have to put out was small, especially compared to fighting a wildfire.
This year, firefighters are making the rounds again, offering more information on reducing fire risk and offering to do a follow-up survey of properties they saw in 2010.
Anyone who missed them last year and who wants to take part is welcome to join in. Just find the crews when they are in your area, or contact the fire hall for more information.
Keep in mind that this information drive is aimed at homes on the outskirts of the city, where the forest meets suburbia. Homeowners in other areas of the city are welcome to the same information, but will have to come by the fire hall or visit nelson.ca.
COMMUNITY WILDFIRE VISITS
June 8: South Cherry and Observatory Streets
June 9:View Street
June 13: McQuarrie and Hamilton Streets
June 14: Tower Road and Silver King Road
June 15: Wasson Street
Residents outside the areas listed are welcome to call the fire department at 250-352-3103 to schedule a home visit at any time throughout the year.