The annual open house for the Oyster River and Merville fire departments on Oct. 12 highlighted the importance of creating wildfire resilient communities. 

Each year, both fire departments invite the public to tour the fire hall. Community members can view the equipment, vehicles, and ask questions.

But this year, the goal was to raise awareness about adopting FireSmart principles, said Chris Murray, the Oyster River Fire Rescue deputy chief. 

An important way to do this is to have a Home Ignition Zone Assessment conducted on your property, he says. 

"The home assessments can be done through your local fire departments and your local FireSmart representative," Murray says in an email. "They will come to your house and do an assessment on your home and property." 

Through this assessment process, homeowners learn how resilient their property is to wildfires. They will also receive recommendations to enhance their safety and protect their homes if a wildfire occurs nearby.

Murray says residents can contact their local fire department for a Home Ignition Zone Assessment.

FireSmart principles have proven to be effective in reducing the risks to life and property during the most severe wildfire conditions, according to the B.C. government website. 

"The FireSmart program is backed by a vast amount of field, laboratory and wildfire modelling research," reads the website. "Its methods help reduce the risk of losses under even the most extreme fire conditions."