Fire Mitigation

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With higher temperatures, low humidity, and accumulated fuel loads, BC forests are in real danger of wildfire. As populations increase people are building homes in areas that were once just woodland. Many families are concerned about the risk of wildfire to their homes, our fire mitigation service can help you mitigate that risk and protect your home, property and family.

At Okanagan Land Works we understand this concern. That is why we take steps to  help  you mitigate wildfire from being an issue and to ensure your home and property are protected.

A mitigation area is the area surrounding your home that has been modified to reduce fire hazard. The goal is to create a space that acts as a barrier to protect your home. Surface level fuel loads are cleared or reduced to slow the spread of a wildfire.

A mitigation area consists of several management zones. Each of the zones are differed by the wildfire mitigation methods applied. We will work with you to determine the best area size to help make sure your home is protected. The amount of mitigation space needed depends on where you live, existing vegetation, and the layout of your land. With our mulching and mastication techniques, it’s possible to remove trees, clear brush, and remove downed trees, and debris. The key to successful fire mitigation is to start from your home and work outward.

There are three key management zones

1. Immediate zone: A minimum 1.5 meter noncombustible surface should extend

around the entire home and any attachments, such as decks

2. Intermediate zone:  1.5 to 10 meters. This should be a fire-resistant

area, free of all materials that could easily ignite from a wildland fire.

3. Extended Zone: 10 to 30+meters. Thin and prune evergreen trees to reduce hazards in this zone.

Remove, mulch or masticate accumulations of fallen branches, and dry grass/needles to eliminate 

surface level fuels.

Once fire moves into the treetops, it can easily move into neighbouring

trees and increase the overall intensity of the fire. Keeping mature trees spaced at least

3 meters apart in the extended zone and eliminating surface and ladder fuels will reduce the risk of this happening.