While its been a slower start to the fire season, it seems many in Kamloops are still reaching out for FireSmart assessments this year, looking to preemptively protect their properties in the event of a wildfire.

Life Safety Educator Jeff Pont says KFR has already done about 200 FireSmart assessments this year, double what it normally does in an entire season.

“We’re really excited about that,” Pont told Radio NL. “People are really buying in and sometimes things cost a little bit of money but its important to look at the work we’re getting done and how we’re making homes and people safer through the programs.”

Pont says even if you don’t reach out for a FireSmart assessment, to make sure you know how to keep your home safe in the event of a wildfire.

“1.5 metres around your home should be completely non-combustible. We call that a defendable space,” Pont said. “Make sure there is nothing that can burn in that 1.5 metre space around you home and that is going to give your home a good chance of surviving a wildfire event.”

Kamloops Fire and Rescue and the City are also expanding a free wood chipping program to include residents in Barnhartvale and Aberdeen Glen Village on Howe Road in Pineview. It comes after the success of similar programs in Juniper Ridge and Rosehill last month.

“The initial offer of free chipping in Rosehill and Juniper Ridge was fully subscribed,” Pont said. “We recognize the demand for this service and are committed to extending it to additional at-risk areas, contingent upon budget and capacity.”

The City is also in the process of hiring a standalone FireSmart Coordinator, who will be tasked with developing an overall strategy to make Kamloops a FireSmart community.

For more on the FireSmart program, go here.