Coquitlam residents living in the wildland-urban interface area of northeast Coquitlam have until September 1 to have a free FireSmart home assessment.
Get a Free FireSmart Assessment Booked Before September 1
COQUITLAM, B.C., July 26, 2022 – Coquitlam residents living in the wildland-urban interface (WUI) area of northeast Coquitlam have until Thursday, Sept. 1 to have a free FireSmart™ home assessment conducted by a local FireSmart Representative.
Important Deadlines
All residents living in the WUI area who qualify for the free assessment are encouraged to book an appointment now for August. There is no requirement for property owners to follow the advice provided by the FireSmart home assessment report, but financial support is available for seniors (aged 65 and over) who want to make the recommended changes.
- Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022 – Last day for first home assessment
- Friday, Sept. 30, 2022 – Last day for mitigation work to be completed
- Monday, Oct. 31, 2022 – Last day for evaluation assessment of recommended mitigation work to receive grant funding for seniors (aged 65 and over)
Apply for Free Assessment Online
Residents can use an online map at www.northeastsector.ca to determine if their home is in the WUI area and eligible for the FireSmart assessment. Then they complete the online Application Form, choosing an available date and time for an assessment – a representative from the City will reach out to applicants to arrange the appointment. Interested residents can also call 604-927-6334 or email firesmart@northeastsector.ca.
In Person Opportunities
Residents interested in connecting in person with a FireSmart Coordinator can also stop by the Tree Spree Pop-Up Event Friday, July 29 from 2:30 – 4 p.m. at Mundy Park in the Chilko parking lot.
Wildfire Home Hazard Assessments
WUI areas – where development meets natural areas – are at a higher risk for wildfires. In 2021 Coquitlam, along with the City of Port Coquitlam and the villages of Anmore and Belcarra received a grant from the B.C.’s FireSmart Economic Recovery Fund to develop a sub-regional approach to wildfire prevention in the northeast sector.
FireSmart ambassadors visited neighbourhoods in the WUI areas in the fall of 2021 and provided over 7,000 residents direct-to-door information on wildfire preparedness and information to book fire safety assessments.
Property owners play an important role in reducing the risk to their homes and neighbourhoods by taking steps such as removing potential fuel sources and choosing fire-resistant building materials. The program goal is to help homeowners to adopt practices that reduce the risk of wildfire damage to their homes and property. Information on fire prevention in a WUI can be found at www.coquitlam.ca/interfacefire.
About Coquitlam Fire/Rescue
Coquitlam Fire/Rescue’s mission is to provide a range of emergency responses, fire protection and educational programs designed to protect lives and property from the adverse effects of fire, sudden medical emergencies or exposure to dangerous conditions created by people or nature. Adopted in late 2021, the Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan outlines 43 actions aimed at reducing wildfire risk and improving the City’s response and recovery if fires do occur, and is making progress implementing high-priority actions.
Media contact:
Scott Young
Deputy Fire Chief
Coquitlam Fire / Rescue
604-927-6400
firerescue@coquitlam.ca