Prepare for the chance of a wildfire

In the past two years, there have been an unprecedented number of wildfires across Canada. Many of us, from coast-to-coast, are wondering if there’s anything we can do to protect our homes from wildfire in 2025.

We can’t predict what this season will bring, but we can plan. Learning from the 2023 and 2024 wildfire seasons, we’ve put together some simple steps to help protect against wildfires. 

First though, it’s good to know what kind of conditions can lead to these fast-spreading fires.

How do wildfires start?

While the causes of wildfires can be different each time, the conditions that lead to them are often the same. Dry seasons without much rain or snow can make it easier for things like brush, grass, and trees to catch fire. 

When dry seasons are met with high winds, the conditions for the spread of wildfire are ideal. Wind can spread fire quickly across large areas. When a wildfire strikes, it can destroy homes, businesses, infrastructure, and even entire towns.

This can feel overwhelming, but there are things you can do to help keep your home safe from wildfire.

Know the Fire Danger Index in your area

The Fire Danger Index is managed by Natural Resources Canada. This index is part of the Canadian Wildland Fire Information System and lets us know:

• how easy it is to ignite vegetation, 
• how difficult a fire may be to control, 
• and how much damage a fire may do

Visit Natural Resources Canada to view the current Fire Danger Index or to learn what Fire Danger status’ to be aware of.

Landscaping to slow the spread of wildfire

Do you have upcoming landscaping projects? There are ways to landscape with fire safety in mind, especially within the Home Ignition Zone: 

• Create a 1.5 metre (5 ft) non-combustible surface around your home using nonflammable landscaping such as hardscaped walkways. 
• Outside your non-combustible area, create a 10-metre fire-resistant space from your home, free of materials that can easily ignite. This will help prevent fires from spreading close to your home.
• Plant high-moisture-content such as annuals or perennials
• Space plants and ensure they are low growing
• Avoid plants that have high levels of resins, oils and waxes – they burn easily.
• Mow the lawn regularly.
• Prune trees up to three metres from the ground and space coniferous trees at least 3 metres apart.
• Remove all dead vegetation within 30metres from your home to create a fire barrier.

Did you know that most home insurance policies don’t cover your landscaping and plants if they’re destroyed in a wildfire?  

Planning fire-safe outdoor living areas:

• keep flammable or explosive items at least 4.5 metres away from any buildings on your property

Flammable or explosive items could include things like: propane tanks, gas cans, kerosene

• Select fire-resistant materials if purchasing outdoor furniture or patio decor

Fire resistant materials include: steel, iron, fire-rated fabrics

• Stack firewood well away from your home

Avoid using barbeques, firepits, or outdoor grills when the Fire Danger Index is high.

Keep fire extinguishers on hand

If you don't already have fire extinguishers in your home, stock key areas with them. 

Make sure that everyone in your home knows: Lex 

• what to do if a fire breaks out.
• where the fire extinguishers are.
• how to use the fire extinguishers.

What type of extinguisher is best? 

There are five classifications of fire:

• Class A - ordinary combustibles such as paper, wood, cloth, rubber, or plastics.
• Class B - flammable liquids, gases, oil, paints, or lacquer.
• Class C - energized (live) electrical equipment such as motors, appliances, or power tools.
• Class D - combustible metals such as magnesium, titanium, sodium, and potassium.
• Class K - combustible cooking oils, or fats in cooking appliances

There are several different kinds of fire extinguisher. Each is designed to address one or more types of fire. Select an ABC-type fire extinguisher. These use a chemical to extinguish the three main types of fire—Class A, Class B, and Class C.

Inspect your fire extinguishers regularly and replace them according to the owner's manual. Learn the basics of how to use a fire extinguisher from the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety.

Avoid practices that can cause wildfires

Unlike most natural disasters, wildfires are often caused by people. 

Officially, fire season starts in late spring and extends until the end of the calendar year. Wildfires can happen any time the ground is not entirely snow-covered. During this period, we have to work together to reduce fire risk in our communities.

Avoid using anything that could create sparks outside on dry, windy days. 

Things like:

• lawnmowers, 
• trimmers,
• welders,
• and chainsaws

can cause sparks that start a blaze when the Fire Danger Index is high. 

Don't park vehicles in tall, dry grass when the fire index is high. Exhaust systems are hot and can ignite dry grass. 

Clear your roof and clean your gutters

Have you cleaned your gutters lately? Clean gutters and clear roofs are a big step in lowering your fire risk. 

Take the time to remove dead branches from trees over your roof. Check your gutters regularly over the course of wildfire season. 

Many experts recommend cleaning your gutters at least twice a year: 

• once in the late spring 
• once during the summer or early fall

Depending on the type of foliage around your home, you may need to clean more frequently. For example, if you have evergreen trees growing over your house, you should consider inspecting your gutters at least every three months.

Talk about fire prevention

You know what you can do to help to reduce the spread of wildfires this season. Share what you know with your neighbours, family, and friends. 

Homes around you may have fire risks. People in your community may not know about the Fire Danger Index, or how easily wildfire can spread. Sharing fire-prevention tips with the people you know can help keep you and your community safe this wildfire season.

Review your insurance policy

If you haven't reviewed your homeowner's policy recently, you should. We recommend homeowners review their policies at least once a year. 

Most policies will cover property loss as the result of brush, grass or forest fires. Every home insurance policy has a limit on how much it will pay-out for any one item. Your personal property won’t be insured for anything over the policy's single-item limit. 

If you have high-value items in your home, have your insurance broker list them separately in your policy. Consider creating a home inventory to help resolve any potential future claims faster.

Wildfire season can be stressful. At Orbit, we know insurance and we’re here to help. We’ll work with you to get the right coverage to protect you, your home, and your property. Let us worry about the insurance so you can focus on what you love.

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Sources:
Natural Resources Canada – Fire Weather Maps
Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety
Home Ignition Zone (HIZ)
FireSmart Landscaping