FireSmart keeps communities safe
The 2007 FireSmart Community Series was held in Jasper from May 21-23. Over 100 fire experts and municipal officials gathered to discuss how FireSmart strategies can be implemented to reduce the threat of wildfire to Alberta’s communities.
Participants attended 13 different sessions covering everything they needed to know to make their communities FireSmart.
Respected fire experts from around the province presented on topics ranging from emergency planning to government funding for FireSmart to balancing FireSmart principles with ecological values.
After each presentation, there were roundtable discussions where participants discussed concerns presented questions with the assembled experts and other participants.
On the final day of the conference, a bus tour took people around the Jasper and Hinton region. On the tour, they saw how FireSmart principles – such as the thinning of tree stands around populated areas – are being applied to protect residents from wildfire.
It wasn’t all business in Jasper, however. Attendees had time to mingle and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Rockies.
The participants left Jasper armed with the knowledge and tools to help make their communities safer from wildfire.
Thanks to all those who made the 2007 FireSmart Community Series a rousing success.
For more information on FireSmart, visit http://srd.alberta.ca/wildfires/firesmart/.
