Wildfire Preparedness Recognition

Several Sunshine Coast communities are being recognized for taking meaningful steps to reduce wildfire risk through the FireSmart Recognized Neighbourhoods Program.

Six neighbourhoods across the region have achieved FireSmart recognition, demonstrating a strong commitment to working together to build safer, more wildfire-resilient communities.

Recognized neighbourhoods include:

• Brigade Bay, Gambier (Area F)
• Witherby Estates, Gambier (Area F)
• Garden Bay Estates (Area A)
• Sandyhook (District of Sechelt)
• Sherwood Grove (Town of Gibsons)
• Woodcreek Park (Area E)

The program encourages neighbours to work collaboratively to reduce wildfire hazards around homes and throughout their community.

“A FireSmart neighbourhood stands an even greater chance of surviving a wildfire than a single FireSmart property,” said David McIlwraith, FireSmart Coordinator with the Sunshine Coast Regional District. “When neighbours work together to reduce wildfire risks, the benefits extend throughout the entire community.”

Several additional neighbourhoods across the Sunshine Coast are currently working toward FireSmart recognition.

To achieve recognition, neighbourhoods develop a local FireSmart plan and commit to ongoing actions that help reduce wildfire risk. This includes conducting a wildfire risk assessment, organizing local FireSmart activities, investing in neighbourhood mitigation efforts, and maintaining an active FireSmart committee.

Residents interested in bringing the FireSmart Recognized Neighbourhood program to their area are encouraged to connect with the SCRD FireSmart program to learn how to get started.

Building wildfire resilience is a shared effort, and the actions taken by individual homeowners and neighbourhoods can make a significant difference in protecting homes, properties, and communities.

Learn more about FireSmart and how to get involved at scrd.ca/firesmart.