In 2023, BC experienced the worst wildfire season in recorded history. As wildfire risk continues to grow across the province, it’s more important than ever to take proactive steps to help protect your property.

Climate change is driving longer, more intense wildfire seasons but there are practical, achievable actions you can take to reduce risk. One of the most effective is making strategic landscaping choices. By choosing fire-resistant plants and carefully managing vegetation around your home, you can help improve your property’s resilience while still maintaining a healthy, attractive yard.

BCAA partners with FireSmart BC™ to educate British Columbians on how to best prepare for wildfires. We're investing $250,000 annually into wildfire preparedness and prevention through the BCAA FireSmart Initiative to help more people and communities all over the province become more resilient. Read on to learn how you can create a FireSmart landscape. 

Fire-resistant plants

Some plants and trees have characteristics that mean they’re less likely to catch fire and can even slow down or redirect the spread of fire. When they’re placed strategically, they can create a space of defense around your home, limiting the chance of fire spreading and causing damage.  

^{Pictured above: Red yucca}

You can check out a wide range of fire-resistant plants that grow in the climate & region you live in, by using FireSmart’s Fire-Resistant Plant tool.

Top tip: Look out for the FireSmart BC plant tag in participating garden centres and nurseries in BC (as shown in the header image at the top of this blog). This tag identifies which plants are more fire-resistant to help take the guesswork out for you. You can find your local Plant Program partner here.

Learn what to avoid 

In general, highly flammable plants often have fine, dry material within the plant such as twigs, needles, leaves and papery bark. The stems, branches or leaves may have waxes and oils that burn easily too. It’s important to note that coniferous trees with cones and needles are extremely flammable they can provide fuel for wildfires and increase fire intensity. These plants should never be planted within 10 metres of your home. Examples include spruce, pine, fir and cedar.

Top tip: You can head to FireSmart BC's website to discover more about the ignition zones around your home, and how to minimize damage from wildfires, check out FireSmart’s guide here.  

Easy landscaping practices to FireSmart your property

Keeping your lawn mown to a short length means it’s more likely to stay healthy and less likely to turn dry.

Make sure you water, prune and tend to your plants regularly and as required – remove all dead materials, like branches and twigs, immediately, as they act as fuel for fires.

Space out your trees to slow the spread of fire between them.

Replace areas of lawn that are difficult to mow with other vegetation that’s easier to tend to.

For more great information and advice on how best to landscape your yard to avoid damage from wildfires, check out FireSmart’s guide here. 

Take steps to prevent the spread

It’s important to have a plan in place so you know how to prevent the worst from happening.

• We’ve put together our top tips and suggestions from FireSmart BC to protect your property here.  
• Find out more about BCAA’s partnership with FireSmart BC, including how to complete a FREE home assessment and save on BCAA Home Insurance through FireSmart BC's Wildfire Mitigation Program.
• Learn more about FireSmart BC and their wealth of resources that help British Columbians be more prepared against wildfires. 
• Be sure to keep up to date with the latest news on wildfires across the province by checking out the Government of BC’s website.