15 Tips to be ready for forest fire season

Starting from May, and continuing through the summer months, forest fires are more likely to occur across the country with British Columbia and the Boreal forest zones of Ontario, Quebec, the Prairie Provinces, and the Yukon and Northwest Territories most at risk.  

Each year, there are approximately 8,000 forest fires in Canada, causing extensive damage and putting lives in danger, so now is the time to learn how to be ready before, during and after a forest fire.

Always be prepared with these tools:

• Know what the risks are in your community and follow instructions from local officials
• Make a plan for your family, including routes away from your home in case of an evacuation
• Have a household disaster preparedness kit containing key items you may need in an emergency

15 tips to be ready for forest fire season

Before

• Learn fire safety techniques and teach them to your family regularly. Everyone should be familiar with the technique “STOP, DROP, AND ROLL” in case clothing catches on fire.
• Install smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your home. Test them every month and replace the batteries frequently.
• Keep a fire extinguisher in an accessible location.

During

• Close all windows and doors in your house.
• Cover vents, windows, and other openings of the house with duct tape and/or pieces of plywood.
• Pack your valuables and park your car positioned forward out of the driveway.
• Turn off propane or natural gas.
• Turn on the lights in the house, porch, garage and yard. Inside the house, move materials that light easily on fire such as curtains and furniture away from the windows.
• Stay tuned to your local radio station for up-to-date information on the fire and possible road closures.

After

• Contact your local government office for help in finding temporary housing if you cannot stay in your home due to fire damage.
• Contact your insurance company, if necessary.
• Check with local authorities to see if you are eligible for disaster financial assistance.
• Only re-enter your home if you are authorized by officials to do so.
• Wear protective gear, including boots, safety glasses and rubber gloves when cleaning up.
• Get a copy of the Red Cross Guide to Fire Recovery.

Find out more on how we help Canadians in emergencies, from situations ranging from individual house fires, power outages and floods to forest fires and hurricanes.