What is the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI)?
The wildland urban interface is typically described as the area where human development meets or intermingles with the natural environment. Over time, our communities and lifestyles increasingly extend further into forested areas and as such, we find interface communities all over Canada, in both remote rural locations and in urban centers. When we live, work and play in WUI zones, we become more exposed to the danger of wildfire, but it is possible to live safely with this natural event.
What types of wildland/structure environments are there?
Intermix
Intermix WUI are areas where housing and vegetation intermingle.
Occluded
Occluded WUI is an environment where structures abut an island of wildland fuels, such as a community park, open space, greenbelt or other natural area.
Interface
Interface WUI is an area where housing is near a large area of dense wildland vegetation.
Things to consider living in the WUI
Wildland fires are a natural part of our ecosystems. Without them, the landscape loses its diversity. Wildland fires recycle nutrients, help plants reproduce, and create a mosaic of vegetation that provide habitats for a variety of wildlife.
The recommendations in this FireSmart Guide will help you reduce the risk of wildland fire to your home and neighbourhood.
Fire Smart
FireSmart
FireSmart™ Canada is a national program that helps Canadians increase neighbourhood resilience to wildfire and minimize its negative impacts. It was founded in 1993 to address common concerns about wildfire in the wildland urban interface.
Here's how FireSmart is being implemented in Clearwater County:
- Smart Planning and Zoning: FireSmart principles are integrated into the County's land-use planning and zoning regulations. Specific FireSmart zones are designated to guide responsible development in wildfire-prone areas.
- Public Awareness and Outreach: Various departments offer educational campaigns, workshops, and events to raise awareness about wildfire risks and prevention strategies.
- Vegetation Management: New strategies are being implemented to reduce the risk of wildfires spreading to residential areas. Property owners are encouraged to create defensible spaces by adopting fire-resistant landscaping practices.
- Resilient Building Standards: FireSmart construction standards for new developments are adopted into the Nordegg Development Plan.
- Emergency Preparedness and Response: Comprehensive emergency response plans tailored for wildfire events are being developed. Practice exercises are conducted to ensure the community is well-prepared for any wildfire scenario.
- Community Collaboration: Local community groups are coming together to encourage active participation from residents, local businesses, and stakeholders.
- Infrastructure Protection: Firebreaks and fuel breaks are created to enhance the resilience of the community infrastructure.
- Government Partnerships: Collaboration with provincial authorities is ongoing to align municipal policies with broader wildfire management strategies.
- Ongoing Monitoring and Assessment: Regular assessment and monitoring of wildfire risks within the region are conducted. Adaptation of FireSmart plans based on changing conditions and emerging risks.
- Innovation and Research: Support for research and innovation in wildfire prevention and management continues. Staying informed about cutting-edge technologies and best practices to continually improve FireSmart programs.
Residents are invited to explore the FireSmart initiatives, get involved, and contribute to creating a wildfire-resistant environment.
Past Projects:
FireSmart Bike Trail
Alberta Forestry and Parks, in partnership with Frontier Lodge, have developed over 12 km of new FireSmart bike trail for present and future generations to witness the growth of a healthy forest and safer community. Visitors will witness the dynamic forest growth and change both seasonally and yearly.
The trail starts at the Fish Lake provincial recreation area and connects to many pre-existing trails. It consists of eight boardwalks and has picnic tables at vista locations.
Contributors:
Mountain Equipment Co-op
Tourism Parks & Recreation
Alberta Conservation Association
Western ATV Association
West Fraser
Learn more about FireSmart at www.firesmartcanada.ca
FireSmart Assessment
Home Ignition Zone Self-Assessment
How resilient to wildland fire is your home and property? Walk around your home and answer the questions in the Home Ignition Zone Self-Assessment. Then consider implementing the recommended actions as you perform maintenance and renovations in each of the three Home Ignition Zones.
FireSmart Assessment Request
Coming Soon
FireSmart Projects
Nordegg FireSmart Project
At the Regular Council Meeting on September 10, 2024 Clearwater County Council accepted the Draft Nordegg FireSmart Plan. The FireSmart Plan includes a Wildfire Preparedness Guide and a Wildfire Mitigation Strategy (WMS). The strategy identifies priority areas near Nordegg where fuel reduction is required to mitigate wildfire risks. The FireSmart Plan was created by Clearwater County in partnership with Alberta Forestry and Parks.
In October 2024 Alberta Forestry and Parks provided residents in the Nordegg area with a FireSmart information package, and collected input from the community on a proposed fuel mitigation plan. View the information package for more details on selective mulching and unit areas of work.
Mitigating forest vegetation (fuel) around a community provides the following benefits:
- Reduce the amount of fuel a wildfire can consume.
- Reduce the intensity of a wildfire.
- Reduces tree top (crown fire) spread.
- Allow a defensible space to start wildfire operations.
- Allows air tanker drops to reach forest floor.
- Allows wildfire crews and equipment easy access.
At the Regular Council Meeting on December 20, 2024 Clearwater County Council endorsed Clearwater County’s 2024/2025 Forest Resource Improvement Association of Alberta (FRIAA) grant funding application for $200,000 for the Vegetation & Fuel Management adjacent to Nordegg’s north subdivision.
FRIAA launched the Community Fireguard Program (CFP) grant to support Provincial FireSmart initiatives, funding community vegetation management plans for improved public safety and protection of at-risk communities.
Clearwater County was successful in acquiring the FRIAA grant and will begin work on the Nordegg FireSmart Project. The project is set to begin towards the end of February on the first area of priority (Unit 3359 & Unit 1), and work is expected to take up to 10 weeks, depending on weather conditions and contractor availability. This unit of the Nordegg FireSmart Project will use selective mulching to treat hazardous fuels in the areas identified in the WMS.
