March, 2026 – With spring just weeks away, now’s the time to take proactive steps to increase wildfire resilience. This month, we’re introducing the newly updated FireSmart Begins With You Guide, a more accessible version of our core resource to support even more FireSmart journeys across the province. We’re also giving practical tips, highlighting a new course for landscaping professionals, encouraging residents to book a free Wildfire Mitigation Program assessment, and sharing an important update for the Wildfire Resiliency and Training Summit. So no matter where you are in your FireSmart journey, there’s something here for you.
https://begins-at-home-guide.firesmartbc.ca/
FireSmart Begins With You
If you’ve been exploring the world of wildfire resilience, you’ve likely heard of the FireSmart Begins at Home Guide. It’s a resource we’re proud of, but it’s also a resource that we’re always seeking to improve.
After members of our team completed extensive accessibility training and received a humbling analysis of our content a few years ago, the path for revisions and refinements was clear.
Fast forward to today, and we have transformed this flagship resource into the FireSmart Begins With You Guide. It’s still your go-to guide for simple steps you can take to increase wildfire resilience, but it’s now more accessible than ever to better support residents in their FireSmart journeys.
Spring’s (Almost) Here
And just like that, it’s the first day of spring in a few weeks! After a mild winter, it’s a good idea to start crossing off some of those FireSmart tasks around your home.
Here are some great places to begin:
- Remove those leaves and pine needles from your roof and gutters
- Remove flammable debris and items within 1.5 metres around your home
- Look into FireSmart plants for your landscaping projects
- Prune tree branches hanging within two metres of the ground
For more tips, information, and steps, visit this link:
https://begins-at-home-guide.firesmartbc.ca/
Have You Booked Your WMP Assessment?
Booking a Wildfire Mitigation Program assessment before wildfire season hits is a great way to determine the best steps to protect your property. These assessments are conducted by Wildfire professionals to identify mitigation opportunities unique to your home, giving you a clear path to progress.
And the best part? They’re free. Just enter your address at the link below and complete the form to get started.
An Important Note
If you are ever asked to pay for a FireSmart assessment, or if something doesn’t seem right, please let us know. Reporting concerns helps protect residents and ensures FireSmart programming remains consistent and accessible across BC.
You can contact info@firesmartbc.ca
Calling All Landscaping Professionals!
The FireSmart BC Course for Landscaping Professionals is live and ready to support your FireSmart learning.
This is a free online training resource created to equip landscaping professionals and others with the knowledge needed to integrate FireSmart best practices into their work.
Course content covers wildfire science topics, FireSmart principles, and practical guidance on designing and maintaining attractive, functional, and wildfire-resilient landscapes.
If you’ve been looking for a resource to help you meaningfully reduce wildfire risk in your community, you’ve found it. For more information on the course or to enroll, visit this link.
A WRTS Accommodation Announcement
If you need accommodations for the 2026 Wildfire Resiliency and Training Summit, a room block offering discounted rates has been established at the Fairmont Empress and DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Suites Victoria.
Reservations must be made by March 6, 2026, to qualify for the group rates. Room block availability is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis, so it is advised to book as soon as possible.
Please note: Participants travelling to the event are responsible for making their own travel arrangements and booking their own accommodation. Due to high demand, some of the nights or room types may be sold out.
FireSmart Plant of the Month: Sea Thrift
There’s a lot to appreciate about February’s Plant of the Month: Sea Thrift (Armeria Maritima).
This fire-resistant groundcover offers year-round appeal with evergreen, grass-like foliage in winter and cheerful, button-shaped blooms in spring.
Low-growing, cold-hardy, and drought-tolerant once established, Sea Thrift thrives in full sun to partial shade and works well as a fire-resistant living mulch in the Intermediate Zone.