Wildfire is a growing reality across British Columbia. FireSmart is a practical, proven approach to reducing wildfire risks and helping communities become more resilient.
By taking simple steps around your home and property, you can dramatically reduce the chance of wildfire damage while helping protect your neighbours and community.
Together, we can build a more wildfire-resilient Armstrong.
What is FireSmart?
FireSmart is about living with and proactively managing wildfire risk in your area and on your property.
Building wildfire resilience is a shared responsibility. FireSmart applies to everyone—from homeowners and neighbourhoods to local governments and land managers.
Research has consistently shown that FireSmart principles help reduce the risk of wildfire damage to homes and communities, even during extreme wildfire conditions.
Our Goal
Wildfire resiliency efforts are not intended to eliminate all wildfire risk. Instead, FireSmart focuses on reducing potential impacts through practical actions that help communities prepare for and respond to wildfire events.
FireSmart Helps
- Reduce wildfire risk around homes and neighbourhoods.
- Improve safety for firefighters and emergency responders.
- Make homes and properties more resistant to wildfire.
Armstrong's Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan
In October 2025, Armstrong City Council endorsed the Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan (CWRP), a roadmap for reducing wildfire risk and strengthening community preparedness.
The plan focuses on:
- Increasing FireSmart education and public awareness
- Improving emergency preparedness and planning
- Reducing wildfire risk where neighbourhoods meet natural landscapes
- Support future wildfire resiliency projects through grant funding.
The endorsement of the CWRP positions Armstrong to pursue additional funding opportunities and continue building a safer, more resilient community.
Introducing
FireSmart to your home and Neighborhood
Take Action Today
Small actions can make a big difference. Start with the roof and work down and away from your home:
| Remove leaves and debris in your gutters and roofs. |
| Add non-combustible 3 mm screens to external vents (except the dryer vent) |
| Keep grass and weeds below 10 cm. |
| Remove flammable vegetation and mulch, (especially cedars, junipers and pine) from the first 1.5 meters (4.9 ft) perimeter around your home and shed. |
| Prune trees to create a 2 meter clearance from the ground to the lowest branches. |
| Move firewood and lumber 10-30 meters away from the home or put your firewood in a completely enclosed space with screening to keep out embers. |
| Closeup your soffits and under your deck with 3mm screening to keep embers out. |
| Clean up debris and leaves around the perimeter of the home. |
| If there is a fire, make sure you clear off your deck and put furniture away inside or away from the home. |
The Home Ignition Zone (HIZ) Self-Assessment helps homeowners evaluate how vulnerable their property may be to wildfire.
The assessment identifies simple improvements that can help reduce risk and increase your home’s wildfire resilience.
There are seven essential elements to creating a FireSmart home and community—known as the FireSmart disciplines. These are Education, Emergency Planning, Vegetation Management, Legislation, Development, Interagency Cooperation, and Cross-Training.
Together, these disciplines provide a comprehensive approach to reducing wildfire risk and strengthening community resilience. By combining education, planning, vegetation management, community partnerships, and preparedness, FireSmart helps protect homes, neighbourhoods, and communities from the impacts of wildfire.
Take a moment to explore each discipline and discover how even small actions can make a big difference in creating a safer, more resilient community.
Stay Informed
City of Armstrong
FireSmart Newsletter
Stay up to date on wildfire preparedness, community initiatives, local projects, and FireSmart resources.
The City of Armstrong FireSmart Newsletter provides practical tips and updates to help residents reduce wildfire risk and protect their homes.
Listen & Learn
The Get FireSmart Podcast
Hear stories, insights, and lessons from wildfire prevention experts across Canada and around the world.
Episodes explore practical homeowner tips, wildfire science, community preparedness, and FireSmart success stories.
Build Your Knowledge
FireSmart 101
FireSmart 101 is a free introductory course designed to help Canadians understand wildfire risk and learn how they can take action.
Topics include:
- The Need for FireSmart
- Wildland Urban Interface
- Seven FireSmart Disciplines
- Home Ignition Zone
- Community Action
have questions?
Contact the City of Armstrong to learn more about FireSmart and wildfire preparedness.
Wildfire is a growing reality across British Columbia. FireSmart is a practical, proven approach to reducing wildfire risks and helping communities become more resilient.
By taking simple steps around your home and property, you can dramatically reduce the chance of wildfire damage while helping protect your neighbours and community.
Together, we can build a more wildfire-resilient Armstrong.
What is FireSmart?
FireSmart is about living with and proactively managing wildfire risk in your area and on your property.
Building wildfire resilience is a shared responsibility. FireSmart applies to everyone—from homeowners and neighbourhoods to local governments and land managers.
Research has consistently shown that FireSmart principles help reduce the risk of wildfire damage to homes and communities, even during extreme wildfire conditions.
Our Goal
Wildfire resiliency efforts are not intended to eliminate all wildfire risk. Instead, FireSmart focuses on reducing potential impacts through practical actions that help communities prepare for and respond to wildfire events.
FireSmart Helps
- Reduce wildfire risk around homes and neighbourhoods.
- Improve safety for firefighters and emergency responders.
- Make homes and properties more resistant to wildfire.
Armstrong's Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan
In October 2025, Armstrong City Council endorsed the Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan (CWRP), a roadmap for reducing wildfire risk and strengthening community preparedness.
The plan focuses on:
- Increasing FireSmart education and public awareness
- Improving emergency preparedness and planning
- Reducing wildfire risk where neighbourhoods meet natural landscapes
- Support future wildfire resiliency projects through grant funding.
The endorsement of the CWRP positions Armstrong to pursue additional funding opportunities and continue building a safer, more resilient community.
Introducing
FireSmart to your home and Neighborhood
Small actions can make a big difference. Start with the roof and work down and away from your home:
| Remove leaves and debris in your gutters and roofs. |
| Add non-combustible 3 mm screens to external vents (except the dryer vent) |
| Keep grass and weeds below 10 cm. |
| Remove flammable vegetation and mulch, (especially cedars, junipers and pine) from the first 1.5 meters (4.9 ft) perimeter around your home and shed. |
| Prune trees to create a 2 meter clearance from the ground to the lowest branches. |
| Move firewood and lumber 10-30 meters away from the home or put your firewood in a completely enclosed space with screening to keep out embers. |
| Closeup your soffits and under your deck with 3mm screening to keep embers out. |
| Clean up debris and leaves around the perimeter of the home. |
| If there is a fire, make sure you clear off your deck and put furniture away inside or away from the home. |
The Home Ignition Zone (HIZ) Self-Assessment helps homeowners evaluate how vulnerable their property may be to wildfire.
The assessment identifies simple improvements that can help reduce risk and increase your home’s wildfire resilience.
FireSmart Disciplines Overview
There are seven essential elements to creating a FireSmart home and community—known as the FireSmart disciplines. These are Education, Emergency Planning, Vegetation Management, Legislation, Development, Interagency Cooperation, and Cross-Training.
Together, these disciplines provide a comprehensive approach to reducing wildfire risk and strengthening community resilience. By combining education, planning, vegetation management, community partnerships, and preparedness, FireSmart helps protect homes, neighbourhoods, and communities from the impacts of wildfire.
Take a moment to explore each discipline and discover how even small actions
can make a big difference in creating a safer, more resilient community.
Stay Informed
City of Armstrong FireSmart Newsletter
Stay up to date on wildfire preparedness, community initiatives, local projects, and FireSmart resources.
The City of Armstrong FireSmart Newsletter provides practical tips and updates to help residents reduce wildfire risk and protect their homes.
Listen & Learn
The Get FireSmart Podcast
Hear stories, insights, and lessons from wildfire prevention experts across Canada and around the world.
Episodes explore practical homeowner tips, wildfire science, community preparedness, and FireSmart success stories.
Build Your Knowledge
FireSmart 101
FireSmart 101 is a free introductory course designed to help Canadians understand wildfire risk and learn how they can take action.
Topics include:
- The Need for FireSmart
- Wildland Urban Interface
- Seven FireSmart Disciplines
- Home Ignition Zone
- Community Action
LINKS & RESOURCES
have questions?
Contact the City of Armstrong to learn more about FireSmart and wildfire preparedness.