The District of Squamish is considering wildfire hazard regulations aimed at reducing community risk to public safety and property from wildfire hazards.
A new Wildfire Development Permit Area (DPA) and Wildfire Landscaping Management Bylaw will be discussed by council at the 6 pm meeting today.
“The proposed wildfire hazards regulations will work together to ensure new construction and landscaping within the District of Squamish occurs in a manner that minimizes wildfire risk,” district says.
The proposed Wildfire Development Permit Area (DPA) would apply to most lands within the District of Squamish, given the large amount of forest and its closeness to neighbourhoods.
The district’s proposed Wildfire Landscaping Management Bylaw would prohibit three high-risk plants within the Priority 1 zone: Juniper, cedar and yew.
It would apply to both new and existing landscaping anywhere within 10 metres of buildings and structures located within the District of Squamish.
However, the implementation of the Wildfire Landscaping Management Bylaw will be based on an education approach rather than a ticketing enforcement program.
Regulations will also mandate maintenance of existing landscaping including pruning trees and shrubs to create separation from buildings, eliminating ladder fuels, maintaining lawns, and removing fire-prone debris.
