As the weather gets warmer and drier, here's what to do to protect your home from wildfires

Wildfires have been on the minds of many Newfoundlanders and Labradorians this week, with several fires in Labrador, including two near the town of Churchill Falls.

In early June, the federal government said the wildfire risk is expected to remain high all summer.

But Lieut. Jeff Jackson of the Trinity south central fire department says homeowners can take preventive measures to protect their homes and prevent fires.

This time of year can be risky, as many people leave the city and head to areas with more trees and foliage, said Jackson. He said it's important to remove "stuff that can ignite easily" from your property, like leaves and dry foliage.

Protecting your property

He also suggests removing combustible material from under your deck and keeping a 1.5-metre non-combustible zone around the house.

Gutters should be kept clean and maintained, he said, and firewood should also be kept at least 10 metres from your home.

It's also important to store petroleum products safely, like in a well-vented jerry can, and should be kept out of the sun, in a cool place.

"If you can, store it inside of an approved container in your garage … away from your dwelling," he said.

Other tips

Jackson also recommends homeowners check out the Fire Smart Canada website. FireSmart is a national resource that provides Canadians with tips to protect their home in the case of a wildfire.

FireSmart suggests keeping grass and weeds cut shorter than 10 centimetres and planting wildfire-resistant vegetation — plants that accumulate minimal dead vegetation and have a low amount of sap. FireSmart also suggests avoiding cedar, juniper, pine, tall grass and spruce.

Non-combustible three-millimetre screens should be added to external vents, except dryer vents, to keep embers from entering your home.

Trees should also be pruned so there's a two-metre clearance from the ground.

Planning ahead

Jackson says it's also important for households to have an emergency plan for evacuations.

Much like the community of Churchill Falls, households may get short notice before being evacuated.

"You need to have a go bag. Pack that with your valuables into it, whether that be your passport, mortgage, insurance, or a little bit of cash."

He also says it's important to remember to grab your pets.

"They're always the last to get in the car, but you got to remember your pets."

Homeowners can access more tips and information on how to stay safe and protect their homes from forest fires on firesmartcanada.ca or the FireSmart Canada app.

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