Fort McMurray disaster has Bragg Creek residents embracing fire protection measures

In light of the devastation in and around Fort McMurray, an increasing number of people living in southern Alberta are asking how they can protect their homes from a wildfire, driving a renewed interest in a mitigation program.

Rocky View Fire Chief Randy Smith says residents of Bragg Creek are much more receptive to the FireSmart program than they were when it was first introduced a few years ago.

FireSmartattempts to reduce the risk of a wildfire spreading with education, vegetation management, development considerations and emergency planning.

"The negative feedback we got was probably because it wasn't communicated well enough," Smith said.

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"FireSmart doesn't mean clearcutting. People move to these rural areas because they love the trees, the birds, the deer and FireSmart really does work with you on preserving that type of environment."

Smith says some people were worried that they'd lose the esthetics of their rural life but he says that's not the case and now he's getting a chance to promote the program more these days, like at a public meeting in Balzac on Wednesday.

Rancher Rob Matthews says from what he's heard at this meeting, he's doing all the right thingsbut he's not so sure about some of his neighbours.

"In some of the residential west of Bragg Creek, we just think it's an accident waiting to happen. Some year in a dry year ... well they are all surrounded by trees, if they ever get going," Matthews said.

Smith says residents can request a free assessment of their property from the fire department and they should re-evaluate their yards every year.

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