With wildfire seasons growing longer and more intense each year, wildfire risk reduction has never been more critical—especially here in the forests and mountains surrounding Golden, BC. As a REALTOR®, a local resident, and the spouse of a wildland firefighter, I understand just how high the stakes are.
Being prepared isn’t just about insurance or emergency alerts—it starts right at home. Whether you’re a long-time property owner or looking to buy in the Golden area, there are practical steps you can take to reduce wildfire risk and build resilience.
Here are four practical steps you can do to help reduce wildfire risk:
1. FireSmart Your Property
This includes clearing flammable materials within 1.5m of your home, spacing out vegetation, using fire-resistant building materials, and managing woodpiles. Visit FireSmart Canada for detailed resources.
2. Have a “Go Bag” Ready
Include essentials like water, food, medications, important documents, and a backup phone charger. Plan for pets too.
3. Create an Evacuation Plan
Know your routes, communicate with neighbours, and have a plan for where to go if you need to leave quickly.
4. Stay Informed
Use resources like BC Wildfire Service and sign up for local emergency alerts.
Golden BC REALTORS® Have a Role Too
As local REALTORS®, we’re not just here to open doors—we’re also part of the education chain. We need to help buyers and sellers understand the unique risks in our region and direct them to appropriate resources and services. Understanding wildfire risk and mitigation is now part of providing full service to our clients.
📅 Attend the Golden & Area A Wildfire Risk Reduction Mini Conference
Attend the event on May 13 at the Golden Civic Centre for a free community event focused on FireSmart practices and wildfire preparedness.
✔ Field site visits
✔ Open house with local wildfire experts
✔ Evening speaker panel including wildfire ecologists and foresters
👉 Full schedule and speaker list can be found here
We all have a role in wildfire resilience—start with your property and your plan. Let’s stay safe, informed, and FireSmart, Golden.
Want to learn more about how wildfire risk impacts your property value or what to consider when buying or selling in high-risk zones? Contact me today.
