What is FireSmart landscaping and why it is so important in the wildland urban interface? Where are the home ignition zone and three priority areas? Are there fire-resistant plants, and do hardscaping and mulching choices make a difference? How does FireSmart landscaping fit with other parts of the environmental picture such as: water conservation, pollination, birds and other wildlife, native plants, and invasive species. Learn about the answers to these and other questions questions, and how FireSmart landscaping practices can help to protect your home and your community in a changing climate.

The FireSmart BC program is directed by a committee with representatives from 11 key organizations, including the BC Wildfire Service, the Union of BC Municipalities, Fire Chiefs’ Association of BC, Emergency Management and Climate Readiness, Indigenous Services Canada , BC Parks, and the Ministry of Forests. Its goal is to better support wildfire preparedness, prevention and mitigation in BC by ensuring alignment with the seven FireSmart disciplines – Education, Emergency Planning, Vegetation Management, Legislation, Interagency Cooperation and Cross-training.
Our two expert presenters are: Joel Hamilton, a Wildfire Interface Specialist with the Fire Chiefs Association of BC and FireSmart BC and Karla Hoffman, a Landscaping Expert with FireSmart BC.

In his dual role, Joel supports fire departments, first nations, communities and regions to prepare for, mitigate and recover from wildfire, using up-to-date science based tools, programs and practices. Joel has worked in emergency management and response in all levels of government in Canada, bringing this expertise and experience into his work to create a more wildfire resilient British Columbia.
A horticulturist since 1997, Karla has designed, installed, and maintained landscapes – from small residential sites to commercial, university, and municipal grounds. She has also taught Soil Science and Landscape Design at Thompson Rivers University. For over a decade Karla led a public education campaign about plant health, integrated pest management, and landscape water conservation in a semi-arid climate. She worked on the FireSmart Canada Guide to Landscaping and more recently on the FireSmart BC Landscaping Guide. Karla enjoys sharing information on creating and maintaining fire-resistant landscapes and is involved in the development of related education materials.