{"id":54104,"date":"2025-05-06T07:30:00","date_gmt":"2025-05-06T10:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thelaker.ca\/?p=54104"},"modified":"2025-05-06T07:30:00","modified_gmt":"2025-05-06T10:30:00","slug":"fire-smart-program-games-and-fire-truck-tours-part-of-nmr-fire-event","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/?p=54104","title":{"rendered":"Fire Smart program, games, and fire truck tours part of NMR Fire event"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>[adrotate banner=&#8221;190&#8243;]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>[adrotate banner=&#8221;78&#8243;]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>NINE MILE RIVER:<\/strong> Local residents had the opportunity to learn about the Fire Smart Home Ignition Zone self-assessment during an Open House last weekend at Nine Mile River fire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Besides the papers and explanation of the self-assessment, there were tours of the fire trucks and the mock house fire game where kids got to use the fire hose to knock down the flames, and a BBQ courtesy of Withrow\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There was also a raffle for several prizes and some info on making a home escape plan in case of a fire available at the department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A good crowd came out for the event and to hear from the firefighters that serve the community under nice sunny skies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/IMG_3684-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-54159\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fire truck tour! (Healey photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>ADVERTISEMENT:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>[adrotate banner=&#8221;87&#8243;]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>[adrotate banner=&#8221;115&#8243;]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/IMG_3679-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-54158\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(Healey photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The FireSmart Home Ignition Zone (HIZ) in Canada focuses on creating a protective buffer around your home to reduce the risk of wildfire ignition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It&#8217;s divided into three priority zones: Immediate (0-1.5m), Intermediate (1.5-10m), and Extended (10-30m), with the Immediate Zone being the most critical.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Actions within these zones involve managing vegetation, reducing flammable materials, and ensuring non-combustible construction practices.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Detailed Explanation:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>1. The Home Ignition Zone (HIZ):<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The HIZ is a concept developed by <a href=\"https:\/\/firesmartcanada.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/FS_Home-Ignition-Zone-Poster.pdf\">FireSmart Canada<\/a> to help homeowners in wildland\/urban interface areas protect their homes from wildfires.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>It involves taking specific actions within defined areas around the home to reduce the risk of ignition by embers, flames, and direct heat.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>ADVERTISEMENT:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>[adrotate banner=&#8221;218&#8243;]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>[adrotate banner=&#8221;92&#8243;]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>2. Priority Zones within the HIZ:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Immediate Zone (0-1.5m):<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This is the most critical area and should be a non-combustible zone, meaning it&#8217;s free of flammable materials like mulch, wood piles, and dense vegetation.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Intermediate Zone (1.5-10m):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Focuses on removing or modifying flammable vegetation, such as thinning trees and removing lower branches, and creating defensible space.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Extended Zone (10-30m):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Involves managing vegetation further away from the home, including selective removal of trees and pruning to reduce potential wildfire intensity.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/IMG_3717-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-54160\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">BBQ. (Healey photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>ADVERTISEMENT:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>[adrotate group=&#8221;2&#8243;]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>[adrotate banner=&#8221;111&#8243;]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>3. Actions to Take Within the HIZ:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Immediate Zone:<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Maintain a non-combustible area around the home, including decks, patios, and walkways.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Use non-combustible materials for siding, roofing, and other exterior elements.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Regularly clean gutters and remove debris that can accumulate and become a fire hazard.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Intermediate and Extended Zones:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Thin and prune evergreen trees to reduce the fuel load and create more space between trees.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Remove fallen branches, dry grass, and other combustible materials from the ground.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Consider creating fire breaks by clearing vegetation to create space and disrupt wildfire spread.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>ADVERTISEMENT:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>[adrotate banner=&#8221;237&#8243;]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>[adrotate banner=&#8221;67&#8243;]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>General Considerations:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Use fire-resistant landscaping materials, such as gravel, rocks, and mulch.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Ensure there are clear paths for evacuation and access for firefighters.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Work with neighbors to create a wider area of protection.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Consult with a landscaping professional with FireSmart expertise for site-specific advice.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>4. FireSmart Resources:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>FireSmart Canada website:<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Provides information, resources, and tools for homeowners to assess their risk and take FireSmart actions.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>FireSmart Begins at Home App:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A free app available for Apple and Android devices that helps users assess their risk and develop a FireSmart plan.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>FireSmart Home Ignition Zone Assessment:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A self-assessment tool that helps homeowners identify specific areas for improvement.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By taking FireSmart actions within the Home Ignition Zone, homeowners can significantly reduce the risk of their homes being ignited by a wildfire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/IMG_3669-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-54157\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Spraying the hose. (Healey photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/IMG_3577-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-54153\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Giving the mock flames a good dousing of water. (Healey photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>[adrotate banner=&#8221;188&#8243;]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>[adrotate banner=&#8221;105&#8243;]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[adrotate banner=&#8221;190&#8243;] [adrotate banner=&#8221;78&#8243;] NINE MILE RIVER: Local residents had the opportunity to learn about the Fire Smart Home Ignition Zone self-assessment during an Open House last weekend at Nine Mile River fire. Besides the papers and explanation of the self-assessment, there were tours of the fire trucks and the mock house fire game where [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":54154,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[965,957],"tags":[5001,196,8292,61,5043,8293,1420,3486,441],"class_list":["post-54104","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-east-hants","category-news","tag-bbq","tag-east-hants","tag-fire-smart","tag-firefighter","tag-fun","tag-games","tag-nine-mile-river","tag-nine-mile-river-fire","tag-open-house"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54104","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=54104"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54104\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/54154"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=54104"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=54104"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=54104"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}