Wildfire Resilience in the Bow Valley

 

The Bow Valley is naturally prone to wildfires. Climate change and the expansion of our communities into forested areas has dramatically increased wildfire risk to homes and infrastructure.

We believe that adopting FireSmart principles is essential to enhance our resilience and protect what we cherish, which is why we’ve added Community Wildfire Resilience to our strategic plan.

Our preliminary work focuses on supporting municipal efforts to create Fire Ready Communities, beginning in the Town of Canmore.

How the Biosphere is Supporting Wildfire Resilience in the Bow Valley

 

Thanks to generous support from the G7, we have partnered with the Town of Canmore to support residents and neighborhoods become Fire Ready!

Fire Ready Ambassador Program

As part of this project we have launched a door knocking campaign that helps educate residents about reducing wildfire risk on their own properties. We are also sharing information about the Neighborhood Recognition Program and encouraging residents to connect with their neighbors to see an even greater impact.

This program is running from August 21st to October 16th, 2025 and we hope to visit as many homes as possible in that time. In fact, we have already made an impact in just a short time!

So far we have:

  • Visited almost 70 homes in the Larch and Canyon Rd neighborhoods

  • 36% of residents we spoke with did not know how to reduce wildfire risk on their property and 51% did not know about the NRP

  • 54% of residents we spoke to committed to taking action to reduce wildfire risk on their own property

Interested in volunteering as a Fire Ready Ambassador? We would love to hear from you! Click here to learn more about the opportunity!

Supporting the Neighborhood Recognition Program

We are also offering support to any Canmore resident who would like to learn more about the FireSmart Neighborhood Recognition Program, wants to connect with their neighbors, or host a neighborhood event.

We are already working with several residents who have stepped up as Neighborhood Champions! We are supporting these community members form FireSmart neighborhood committees and start working toward becoming a recognized FireSmart neighborhood.

If you have questions or want support starting a FireSmart Committee in your neighborhood, please connect with us!

We will subsequently engage with other Bow Valley municipalities, and are currently seeking funding to support the work.

 
 

Community Engagement: Neighbourhood Recognition Program

 

Collective action amplifies wildfire resilience. The FireSmart Neighbourhood Recognition Program encourages communities to:​

  1. Form Committees: Establish neighborhood groups dedicated to FireSmart initiatives.​

  2. Develop Plans: Assess risks and outline mitigation strategies with the help of a Neighborhood Recognition Program Specialist.​

  3. Host Events: Organize educational sessions, clean-ups, and other neighborhood activities that increase your neighborhoods resilience to wildfire and help build community.​

Participation not only enhances safety but also fosters community spirit. Here at the Biosphere we are ready to support residents and neighborhoods take action. We are working closely with the Town of Canmore to support neighborhood FireSmarting as it pertains to their annual timeline. See below for more details!

 
 

If you are a resident of Canmore, visit the Town of Canmore’s website to learn more about engaging in this program and FireSmarting your neighborhood! Below are the steps to becoming a recognized FireSmart Neighborhood and the associated timelines. Although many of these steps can take place year round, following this timeline ensures your neighborhood is taking action and prepared before the next wildfire season.

  • Complete your FireSmart 101 Training. It is a pre-requisite of being connected with a Neighbourhood Recognition Program Specialist.

  • Step 1:

    Become a Neighbourhood Champion. Every neighbourhood needs someone who is looking to improve their neighbourhood’s resilience to wildfire.

    The Neighbourhood Champion:

    • Leads the neighbourhood’s FireSmart Committee

    • Acts as a point of contact between the NRP Specialist and the commitee.

    • Creates a Neighbourhood Mitigiation Plan with the help of the committee.

    • With the help of the committee, hosts a FireSmart Canada education and/or clean up event

    • Submits the majority of the required documentation to becoming a recognized FireSmart Neighbourhood.

    The Biosphere can support you with these first steps and guide you through the process.

    Step 2:

    Contact the Town of Canmore by filling out the Neighbourhood Recognition Program Interest Formand get connected with a Neighbourhood Recognition Program (NRP) Specialist. 

    Step 3:

    Rally and recruit your neighbours to form a FireSmart Neighbourhood Committee.

    Not sure if your neighbourhood already has a champion or not sure how to recruit your neighbours? Contact us are we will help you connect with your neighbors, provide space and snacks for committee meetings, and walk you through the process of becoming a FireSmart Neighborhood!

  • Step 4:

    An assigned NRP Specialist will reach out to the Neighbourhood Champion to schedule a time to conduct a Neighbourhood Wildfire Hazard Assessment.

    Step 5:

    The NRP Specialist will work with the Champion to set up their neighbourhood’s NRP portal on the FireSmart Canada website.

    Step 6:

    Once the portal is active, the NRP specialist will upload the completed Neighbourhood Wildfire Hazard Assessment, which includes mitigation recommendations.

    Step 7:

    The Neighbourhood Champion/Committee reviews the Wildfire Hazard Assessment and mitigation recommendations to develop a plan for their community.

    Reach out to us and we can help you develop this plan!

  • Step 8

    Neighbourhood Champions/Committees are encouraged to annualy apply for the Neighbourhood Recognition Program Incentive through FireSmart Canada. 

    Applications for the NRP incentive open at the beginning of November; however Neighbour Champions/Committees must have completed a Wildfire Hazard Assessment and created a plan in advance of application. 

  • Step 9:

    Neighbourhoods activate their plan and schedule events as per their commitments. Once the events have concluded, the Neighbourhood Champion/Committee can apply for FireSmart Neighbourhood Recognition. 

    The Biosphere can help you organize, market, and host events in your neighborhood!

    Step 10:

    Apply for Recognition. Once you have completed activities outlined in your plan you can apply for recognition! The Neighbourhood Champion/FireSmart Committee can apply for the FireSmart Canada Neighbourhood Recognition Status.

 
 

If you would like to become a neighborhood Champion, or you are curious to know if there is already a champion or committee in your neighborhood, please fill out this form and we will connect with you right away!

 
 

FireSmart Peaks

 

Canmore’s Peaks of Grassi neighborhood is participating in the neighborhood recognition program! They are doing incredible work to bring their neighbors together to ensure the community is more resilient. Check out their website for information on upcoming events, ways you can get involved, and resources to engage your neighborhood!

 
 
 
 

What is FireSmart?

 
 
 

FireSmart is a comprehensive approach to wildfire prevention and mitigation. It encompasses best practices, educational programs, and community initiatives designed to reduce wildfire risks. By embracing FireSmart, residents, neighborhoods, and local governments collaborate to create safer environments.

 
 

FireSmart Begins at Home

Homeowners play a pivotal role in wildfire risk reduction. It’s not often the fire front that causes homes to catch fire, but embers that can be blown several kilometers from the fire. These embers land on roofs and flammable material in your yard and cause fire to start in our neighborhoods. Implementing FireSmart strategies around your property can significantly decrease vulnerability. Key actions include:​

  • Roofing: Opt for fire-resistant materials and ensure roofs are free of combustible debris.​

  • Yard Maintenance: Regularly clear leaves, needles, and other flammable materials.​

  • Vegetation Management: Maintain a defensible space by trimming trees and shrubs, especially within 10 meters of structures.​

For a comprehensive guide check out the FireSmart Fact Sheet.

 
 

Home Ignition Zone

  • Reduce the chance of wind-blown embers igniting your home: 

    • Ensure a 1.5 metre non-combustible surface surrounds your home. 

    • Clear vegetation and combustible materials.

    • Avoid planting woody shrubs or trees.

  • Prevent fire from reaching your home: 

    • Plant fire-resistant vegetation and avoid woody debris, including bark mulch.

    • Use non-combustible landscaping materials.

    • Remove combustibles like firewood, construction materials, and patio furniture.

  • Limit the intensity of fire: 

    • Maintain a minimum of 3 metres of horizontal space between evergreen trees.

    • Clear branches lower than 2 metres from the ground.

    • Regularly clean up fallen branches, dry grass, and needles

 
 
 
 

Request a FireSmart Assessment

 

FireSmart Home and Property Visits are available in Banff, Canmore, and the MD of Bighorn to help residents assess and reduce wildfire risk around their properties.

Step 1: Complete FireSmart Canada 101 Training

Before requesting an assessment, homeowners and condo board members are required to complete the online FireSmart Canada 101 course. This short, self-paced training provides the essential knowledge needed to understand wildfire risk and the FireSmart approach.

 
 
 

Canmore

Canmore Fire-Rescue offers free FireSmart Home/Property Visits to help residents evaluate and reduce wildfire risks around their homes.

  • A Fire-Rescue team member will visit your property for approximately 60 minutes.

  • You’ll receive customized recommendations to help make your home more wildfire resilient.

  • Assessments are limited to areas within your property lines.

 
 
 

Banff

In Banff, FireSmart Home Assessments are coordinated by the Town of Banff and supported by Parks Canada and Alberta Wildfire.

  • Assessments focus on the home ignition zone—the area within 30 metres of your house.

  • Residents will receive practical advice tailored to the local environment and vegetation.

 
 
 

MD of Bighorn

FireSmart support in the MD of Bighorn is available through municipal emergency services and regional partnerships.

  • Availability may vary by hamlet or location (e.g., Exshaw, Harvie Heights, Dead Man’s Flats).

  • Residents are encouraged to contact the MD office or local fire department to inquire about FireSmart visits and community initiatives.

 
 
 

Want to Learn More?

There are plenty of resources available for you to start taking action on your property! Download the FireSmart Begins at Home app to start a self evaluation of your property. This will help you identify priority areas for you to focus on when FireSmarting your home.

 
 

Bow Valley Community Fireguard

 
 
 

The Bow Valley Community Fireguard is a local wildfire mitigation initiative developed by the Town of Canmore in partnership with the MD of Bighorn and Kananaskis Improvement District and with support from Alberta Forestry and Parks. Its purpose is to create a landscape-level firebreak that protects communities like Banff and Canmore by reducing the amount of flammable vegetation in key interface zones between the forest and townsites.

These strategically located fireguards:

  • Reduce wildfire intensity and spread near populated areas

  • Provide safer zones for wildfire suppression efforts

  • Are designed using ecological best practices to maintain wildlife corridors and native biodiversity

Long-term Bow Valley FireGuard Plan

 
 

The Community Fireguard is an excellent example of FireSmart principles in action at a broader, landscape scale. It complements homeowner and neighborhood-level efforts by addressing larger-scale wildfire threats through fuel reduction and ecosystem-based fire management. However, Fireguards alone are not enough to protect the community. It’s important that everyone does their part to ensure our community is as resilient as possible in the face of a wildfire event.

For more information visit FireSmart Alberta, and learn how you can take action and prepare for this very real climate threat.