Forest fires are common in Canada and are prone to happen from May to September. Many Canadians still remember the Fort McMurray fires in Alberta, May 2016 and forced the evacuation of the local community. When a fire breaks out, one must be prepared to respond quickly. Read our tips for protecting your property in the event of a forest fire.

Prevention at the heart of safety

Check to see if your home is in an area where the risk of fire is high. If the risk is high, take precautions to protect yourself:

• Avoid planting trees near your home or any other building, or near power lines
• Do not store flammable materials
• Check for visible cracks or holes that may allow embers to penetrate
• Make sure the roads to your property are accessible
• Make sure you have a hose long enough to go around your home
• Maintain the property to avoid the accumulation of dead leaves that encourage the development of fires

In the event of a fire around the house

If a forest fire breaks out around your home, take the following steps to limit the spread of the fire to your property:

• Inspect the area around your home: Cut the grass and remove dead leaves, pine needles and weeds within a minimum 5-metre radius of the building
• Close all the doors to keep ashes and embers out of your home. Invest in metal mosquito netting, which provides an effective protection if the windows break in hot temperatures
• Connect garden hoses to outside faucets to humidify your property
• Check that all windows are closed if you have to leave your home

Check with your insurer for precautionary measures

Your home insurance protects you against fire. Check your coverage and the measures you need to put in place beforehand to make sure you have adequate coverage in case of a forest fire that could affect your home.