Protecting Our Forests

Long before our cities and towns were established, our forests and flat lands burned as a result of lightning from frequent thunderstorms passing through the area. Today, most wildfires are the result of the careless use of fire by people. Hundreds of wildfires occur in Ontario every year and there are an increasing number of homes and seasonal cabins being built in forested areas where fires can occur. Many are unprepared to survive a wildfire. Our ability to live safely in this fire environment greatly depends on the actions taken before a wildfire occurs to improve the survivability of people and homes. They include proper vegetation management around the home and use of fire resistant building materials.

The following these recommendations will help you create a more survivable space for your home or cottage.

Before You Build

The ideal time to create survivable space is when you’re planning to build. Locate your buildings in natural openings away from trees and tall grasses. Site your buildings on level ground away from the edge of steep hills where fire can race uphill with great intensity. As you make a clearing for your driveway and building, take this opportunity to create defensible space. Remove evergreens within 10 metres of your building and space other trees so there is at least 3 metres between the branches. Also, make the driveway wide enough for emergency vehicles. These activities are much easier to do before utilities and buildings arrive on site.

Construction/Renovation

When building or renovating your home or cabin in the woods, use fire resistant materials and design. Starting from the roof, use Class “A” rated fibreglass shingles, metal or tile. Enclose eaves and soffits with metal or other fire resistant material. Use brick, stucco, metal or other fire resistant siding. Enclose your foundation with brick or metal and never bank your foundation with straw. Use building designs free of alcoves, valleys or other places where leaves can collect. Place rock or patio blocks around your foundation and beneath decks and overhangs.

Landscaping

Creating a defensible space is the key to home survival in a wildfire. Starting at the foundations of your buildings, keep plants short and well spaced, especially under windows. Avoid plantings around and under decks. Keep all plants around the foundation clean of dead vegetation.

As you move away from buildings, keep the grass for the10 metres cut short and well watered. Trees in this area should be well spaced and preferably restricted to deciduous trees. Look for potential “fuses” like wooden walkways, fences and weedy gardens that reach from the woods to your buildings. Break these up with patios or green lawn. Keep flammables like lumber and firewood piles out of this area.

If the area beyond 10 metres is predominantly evergreens, its modification is critical. Consider removing some trees (thinning) so that the crowns of the remaining trees are at least 3 metres apart. Prune the remaining trees 2-3 metres up the trunk. Remove tall underbrush so that there is a space of 2 or more metres between the tops of the plants and the lower branches of the trees.