Urban Wildfire Preparedness

City of Surrey and urban areas in the lower mainland are at low risk for wildfires compared to communities in the interior of BC. Climate change is making summers longer, drier and hotter which increases fire risk in urban settings.  Wildfires start and grow by catching dried grasses, bark mulch, trees, leaves, plants, and other fuels, and spread to structures, including your home.

Wildfire sparks and embers from several kilometres away can ignite materials and cause severe damage to your home.  Fires can spread from the forest into the community, or from the community to the forest.  Both situations need actions to lessen the risk. 

Are you at risk?

FireSmart Your Home

Here are a few simple actions you can take to lessen your risk and protect your home.

Download the FireSmart Brochure

Prevention tips for your yard  

Changes within 10 metres of your home will have the biggest impact on reducing the threat of wildfire.  

• Create a buffer zone around your home that is free from flammables that support burning, such as shrubs, patio furniture and overhanging branches. 
• If possible, extend a minimum of 1.5-metre non-flammable surface (gravel, sidewalk) around the perimeter of your home. 
• Keep firewood piles, construction materials, and propane tanks as far away from the home as possible. 
• Regularly clean up collections of fallen branches, dry grass, tree needles and leaves. 
• Mow your lawn regularly to keep it at a height of 6 inches or less. 
• Avoid having or using bark mulch around your yard, as it provides potential places for fires to start.  
• Plant low density, fire-resistant plants. 

Characteristics of fire-resistant plants and shrubs 

• moist leaves 
• accumulates minimal dead vegetation 
• water-like sap with little odour 
• low amount of sap or resin material  

Characteristics of highly flammable plants 

• leaves or needles are aromatic 
• accumulates fine, dry, dead material 
• contain resins or oils 
• loose papery or flaky bark 

Plants to avoid 

• cedar 
• juniper 
• pine 
• tall grass 
• spruce 

Prevention tips for your home 

• Ensure you have a spark arrestor for any wood-burning appliance or chimney which will help prevent embers from escaping into the open area outside. 
• Regularly remove debris from your gutters. Consider screening your gutters with metal mesh to reduce the amount of debris that can accumulate.  
• Look around your yard for other flammable materials. Consider how close you store lawn furniture or deck storage boxes near your home.  

Preparedness tips for your family 

• Make sure every floor and all sleeping areas have working smoke alarms. 
• Set up emergency numbers in your phone. 
• Create a 72-hour emergency preparedness kit ready to go with at least* 
  • 4 litres of water per person, per day for drinking and cleaning 
  • Non-refrigerated food and a manual can opener 
  • Crank or battery-powered flashlight/batteries 
  • Crank or battery-powered radio 
  • Blankets or sleeping bags 
  • Toiletries 
  • First aid kit 

* Specialized items may be needed for infants, seniors, persons with disabilities and pets. 

If a wildfire occurs near your home 

• Listen to the local radio and watch City of Surrey social media channels for up-to-date information, including emergency instructions and road closures. 
• Pack your car with your emergency kit, valuables and important documentation and park it facing forward out of the driveway with windows closed. 
• Close all home windows and doors, and move flammable materials, such as curtains and furniture, away from windows. 
• Turn off propane or natural gas when evacuating. 

Respiratory health and wildfire smoke 

Regardless of where you live, a large fire can also impact the air quality. These microscopic particles can cause a range of health problems from burning eyes to aggravated chronic heart and lung diseases. Everyone responds differently to wildfire smoke. Some people are at higher risk of experiencing adverse health effects. 

Protect yourself from wildfire smoke

Exposure to too much wildfire smoke can irritate your eyes, lungs and heart. Most symptoms are mild; however, symptoms such as severe cough, shortness of breath, dizziness, chest pain, and racing heart may need prompt medical attention. Certain people are more at risk than others, including those with pre-existing health conditions, people who are pregnant, infants and small children, seniors, and people with a respiratory infection.

Wildfire smoke preparedness resources

Here are some ways to keep you and your loved ones safe:

Limit Exposure

• Take it easy. The more active you are, the harder it is on your lungs.
• Stay indoors and keep windows closed, if it’s safe to do so.
• If possible, wear a fitted 3-layer cloth or disposable mask to filter smoke.

Take Care

• Drink lots of water to help your body cope with the smoke.
• Check Air Quality forecast to know when to expect smokey skies.
• Check on others, especially those who are more sensitive to smoke.

The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, in collaboration with the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres, has developed materials to promote wildfire smoke preparedness and safety in Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. These materials are available on the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy’s website, along with other resources, and at the following links:

• Wildfire smoke poster 
• Wildfire smoke info sheet
• Wildfire smoke colouring sheet 

Additional resources

FireSmart Canada - Wildfire preparedness assessments, training and resources

FireSmart Homeowners Manual – Learn how to reduce the potential impacts of wildfire on your home

Fraser Health Air Quality website

BCCDC Wildfire fact sheet 

Free Emergency Preparedness Program Presentations:

• Personal Emergency Preparedness
• Neighbourhood Emergency Preparedness

Request a Free Smoke Alarm or HomeSafe Inspection