FireSmart Neighbourhood Recognition Program

FireSmartPeaks is working with the Town of Canmore, Canmore Fire Rescue and FireSmart Alberta to become part of FireSmart Canada's Neighbourhood Recognition Program (NRP).

The NRP is a national program developed to officially recognize neighbourhoods that have taken critical steps to reduce their vulnerability to wildland fire. The program focuses on bringing neighbours together to address threats on their respective properties, and those in common areas within the community.

Becoming a recognized neighbourhood is an important step in building resilience to wildland fire. The benefits for Peaks of Grassi that will come with receiving recognition include:

• Building a greater sense of community. Working together to increase resilience to wildland fire is a great way to get to know each other.

• Reducing the probability of homes and structures igniting due to wind-driven embers after mitigation measures have been implemented. 

• Helping firefighters concentrate their efforts on fighting wildfires.

• Developing strong connections between our neighbourhood, the Town and Canmore Fire Rescue.

• Providing peace of mind, knowing that our property and neighbourhood are more prepared in the event of a fire.

Neighbourhoods and Champions

For the purposes of the NRP, the Peaks of Grassi FireSmartCommittee has divided the Peaks into 6 different neighbourhoods, as shown below, each of which has a volunteer "neighbourhood champion" who lives in that specific neighbourhood. 

Hazard Assessments and Mitigation Plans

For each of the six neighbourhoods, Canmore Fire-Rescue has carried out wildfire hazard assessments. These have provided the basis for the wildfire mitigation plans for each neighbourhood that have been prepared by the Peaks of Grassi FireSmart Committee. 

The mitigation plans outline a variety of measures that we can take, as homeowners and residents, to reduce the risk of wildland fire around our homes and in the neighbourhood, such as clearing deadfall, moving firewood piles away from structures, clearing leaves and pine needles from roofs and gutters, etc. These activities will be carried out during the neighbourhood clean-up event on Saturday 7 June. They may also be undertaken at other times of the year.

If you have any questions about the NRP in Peaks or would like to get involved, please send an email to: 

firesmartpeaks@gmail.com

In the meantime, check out this short film prepared by FireSmart Canada on the NRP in Rushmere, BC...