Fire Season Ready: A Quick Homeowner’s Checklist for Preventing Disaster
When summer heat rolls into BC, we know it comes with more than just patio season and lake days. For homeowners across Quesnel, Williams Lake, 100 Mile House, and Prince George, it also marks the start of wildfire season. And while we can’t control the weather, we can take smart, simple steps to make our homes more fire-resilient.
Whether you live on a forested lot or in town, fire prevention starts at home—literally.
Here’s a handy checklist to help protect your home (and your neighbours') before peak fire season arrives.
Clear Your Yard of Combustible Materials
Dry leaves, pine needles, firewood piles, and flammable debris are fuel for wildfires. Clear them from:
Gutters and eavestroughs
Under decks and patios
Around foundations and fences
Roof valleys and ledges
Create a Defensible Zone Around Your Home
A defensible zone is a buffer that slows or stops a wildfire before it reaches your structure. In BC, the standard recommendation is:
0–1.5 metres (Immediate Zone): Remove all flammable items directly around your house.
1.5–10 metres (Intermediate Zone): Trim trees and shrubs, keep grass short, and use fire-resistant landscaping.
10–30 metres (Extended Zone): Remove dead trees, clean up fallen branches, and thin out vegetation.
Keep Firewood and Propane Tanks at a Safe Distance
It may be convenient to store firewood against the house, but in fire season, that’s a big no-no. Keep:
Firewood at least 10 metres from your home
Propane tanks clear of debris and stored safely
BBQs clean and away from combustible surfaces
Maintain Your Roof and Vents
Embers can land on your roof and sneak into vents. Reduce the risk by:
Replacing or repairing broken shingles
Installing ember-resistant vent screens
Cleaning your roof and chimney area regularly
Use Fire-Resistant Materials Whenever Possible
If you're doing home upgrades or renovations this summer (and hey, Ultrawest Restoration can help with that!), consider:
Metal roofing
Fiber cement siding
Double-paned or tempered glass windows
These materials not only improve durability but increase fire resistance.
Know the Burn Ban Rules (and Follow Them!)
Before lighting any kind of outdoor fire—even a backyard fire pit—check local burn bans and restrictions. Ignoring them isn’t just risky—it could also lead to fines. When in doubt, leave the matches alone.
Talk to Your Neighbours
Fire prevention is a team effort. Share this checklist, offer to help an elderly neighbour with yard work, and talk about evacuation plans. If a fire ever comes close, having a coordinated neighbourhood response is invaluable.
Be Proactive, Not Reactive
We’ve seen firsthand at Ultrawest Restoration how quickly fire can tear through a property—and how devastating the damage can be when fire meets water, smoke, and structure. That’s why we encourage homeowners to take fire prevention seriously before the heat waves hit.
Simple seasonal maintenance now could mean the difference between a close call and a catastrophe.
If disaster does strike, we're here 24/7 to help with fire damage cleanup and restoration throughout the Cariboo region. But let’s all do our part to reduce the risk from the start.
Stay safe. Stay ready. And enjoy a fire-free summer.
