This was our third FireSmart event this year and we wanted to get our hands dirty this time!  We asked volunteers to gather at a property and we conducted an assessment together using the FireSmart Begins at Home App
The app is easy to use and gives you suggestions where you could use some improvement.  It is also available in an Android version. 
We tackled fuel load reduction and brought in a chipper to deal with as much of the debris as we could.  This pile had been accumulating for many, many years and we will return to burn the rest when conditions are safe. 

We identified a high risk problem and worked together to improve the situation.  We all realized that there are many locations where a FireSmart work party can help out an overwhelmed homeowner.  We'll be working on a new program - Host a FireSmart Event!  

After a great morning workout, we moved to the firehall for Piers Island Emergency Program's presentations on Grab and Go bags, water purification as well as updated Emergency contact information for residents.  They held a fabulous prize draw afterward and the winners were Grab and Go Bags - Pauline O. and John Dick (Eckman family); Power banks - Rick S., Melissa (Siska family) and Monique J.; Crank radios - Chany (de Jong family), Derek M.; Vehicle kit - Jeff N.    We all enjoyed pizza from 900 Degrees Bistro hosted by PIVFD.    

And here's how it all came together! 

Kudos to Grant Warrington who singlehandedly contacted, arranged and took to completion an Island wide offering of chimney cleaning.  Grant made arrangements to have WETT certified chimney cleaner Chris Worthing of Flamesmart Heating Ltd. come to Piers Island.  Over 2 days a total of 22 chimneys were cleaned and inspected.  Owners paid for the services that they chose, whether it be cleaning, inspection and even gutter cleaning.  Arranging a neighbourhood event with a reputable cleaner is a good way to add to the FireSmart level an area. 
#IAMFireSmart #FireSmartBC #FireSmartCanada 

This particular area was difficult for the FC's and MMC's to work on.  It use to have healthy red cedars, but they are dying due to summer drought conditions.  FC's tagged according to the Land Policies guidelines, which left some very dead trees standing.  We will attempt to bring in an outside expert to give advice on these situations as there are more and more areas like this on Piers.  

The FC's are marking areas in advance of the Monday Morning work parties.  Here's our before and after pics from Area 2.  We found an old hummingbird nest, which was carefully preserved by the MMC.  Interestingly, hummingbirds do not re-use their nest, but will go back to obtain old materials for their new nest. :)

After the adoption of the PIA Land Policies in September 2018 and the appointment of Forest Caretakers in November, the Forest Caretakers (FC's) have been marking treatment areas for work by the Monday Morning Crew (MMC) volunteers.  Working together, we can identify areas requiring treatment for not only FireSmart and invasive species removal, but also for forest enhancement.  We'll be posting before and after photos so you can see the benefits.   

Keep your eyes peeled as we work towards removing fuel loads and enhancing the forest to allow arbutus and Garry Oak a better chance of survival in our changing climate.  
We sent the May 2018 photo to Patrick Daigle (retired RPF) for his thoughts and suggestions.  He sent along this information: 

ID TREATMENT AREAS - To help you ID areas for combining fuel removal with eco-restoration, watch for places where there are arbutus and/or Garry oak. These two tree spp ‘tend’ to prefer dry and/or well-drained sites, and S and W (so-called high-energy) aspects. Over decades of fire exclusion, it’s common for Douglas fir to establish and crowd the oak/arbutus trees and compete for light (especially), as well as nutrients and moisture. 
In these dry-ish situations, retain the arbutus/oak. Remove Douglas-fir saplings to 1) reduce fuels AND 2) restore sites for the retained oak/arbutus AND 3) initiate understory native plant germination. There is a good chance understory plants will bounce-back because of existing seed bank in the duff/soil. If you encounter large Doug-fir (e.g., >16” diameter), consider leaving them, and pruning any (unlikely) low branches.

We'll continue to add photos to the slideshow as our volunteers work to both FireSmart the area and enhance the forest. :)

Join in on May 5th for our Piers Island Wildfire Preparedness Day sponsored by FireSmart Canada! 

We want you to learn all about what the new chipper can do for you to help you FireSmart your property - so bring out some branches to the road between noon and 3 pm and enjoy the demo.  We'll have firefighters on hand to offer you a little Wildfire Quick check on your property as well.
We invite you to head over to the hall at 3 pm and learn what Emergency Preparedness has for you.  Are you signed up for PANS yet?  They'll help you out. 
The new Engine 33 will be on display for you too and then we'll top it all off with a BBQ for participants!  
With Islanders hard work last year Piers Island received FireSmart Community Recognition for 2017 - let's make it happen for 2018!

Our thanks again to FireSmart Canada for sponsoring this event! :)

​#IAMFIRESMART

In a small community like ours- surrounded by water - we've found a group chimney sweep program helps to keep costs down and is a good incentive for people to get it done when they might put it off were they reliant on arranging themselves! Here's our program for this year organized by an island volunteer!

​Hello Islanders
The Fire Smart Sweep Program for 2018 will be a bit different this year.
 
To start with we have a new provider:
Chris Worthing.
Chris has Work Safe and is fully insured.
 
Please note Chris Worthing is NOT providing window, skylight, roof or gutter cleaning as part of the Fire Smart Program, but you may be able to negotiate that with him SEPARATELY from the Fire Smart Program. 
Chris also services gas appliances but again that is not part of the Fire Smart Sweep Program.
 
Unlike the past few years, Chris provides his own boat to and from the Island and will not require hiring of the Water Taxi, so you will not have to pay a portion of the total transportation cost to and fro.
 
There are some fee changes however.
 
Inspections are now $50 +GST per property (no free inspections).
If a chimney cleaning is required then that will cost $50 per flue on top of the inspection fee. That is inspection plus one flue costs $100, inspection plus 2 flues costs $150 etc. +GST
If a WETT certificate is required that will cost $65 on top of the inspection fee. That is inspection plus WETT certificate costs $115 + GST
 
You or a designate need to be present when the inspection or service takes place.
 
Please refer to the attached document for general information on what  WETT is, as this is a commonly asked question.
 
Payment is by cheque or cash ONLY directly to Chris at the time of service.
  
I will try my best to book your first choice of date and morning or afternoon, and provide you with a schedule shortly after June 1, 2018
 
If there is sufficient demand July 4th MIGHT also be available, but for now indicate your availability for July 2 or 3rd only please.
 
If you have a neighbour or friend on the island who might be interested but does not sign up for bb, please forward this email to them or, if they don’t have email, please let me know their telephone contact and I will try to get them scheduled.
 
Grant
Lot #35

Our INBOX had this great news today from FireSmart and Partners in Protection!

​"It is my pleasure to inform you that your community is a recipient of a $500 Provincial Wildfire Community Preparedness Day award!"

​Fantastic news for Piers Island and our plans for our Wildfire Preparedness Day on May 5th, 2018.   Keep your eyes peeled for our banner - coming your way as we get closer to the date.  Islanders will recall our Big Chipper Fundraiser which was successful and we now have an awesome chipper on the island.  Look for it as part of our Wildfire Preparedness Day.  More details to follow as we get closer.  Chipping is great for taking care of all those low lying branches you've trimmed, but NOT for leaves (which you can compost) or for invasive plants like broom, gorse and holly which are better burned.  

Give FireSmart a shout out if you're on Facebook to ​http://www.facebook.com/FireSmartCanada