Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan

The District of West Vancouver’s Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan helps us prepare for and respond to wildfires where our community meets the forest. Approximately 50% of land in the District is within 100 metres of a forested area.

The plan contains 45 strategic recommendations based on the seven FireSmart disciplines for improving emergency response and training, community education, emergency communications, building practices, and more, to make our community as fire safe as possible.

This document provides the District with a framework that can be used to review and assess areas of identified low, moderate, and high fire risk within the District. It builds off the foundational Community Wildfire Protection Plan adopted in 2019.

Appendix B – Wildfire Threat Assessment Worksheets and Photos

Appendix C – Maps

Recent Updates

The work is designed to be sensitive to forest and streamside ecosystems. Riparian and wetland areas are monitored to limit disturbances as much as possible.

After work is completed, a mixture of native deciduous shrubs and smaller trees suitable for the site are replanted. This helps restore the natural biodiversity of the area and replace the non-native plants that increase wildfire risk.

Forest thinning increases light for plants on the forest floor and provides better habitat for wildlife, especially after a few years. The retention of large trees and logs creates a structure similar to old forests.
The Wildfire Hazard Development Permit Area was approved by Council on December 14 and includes all properties within 100 metres of a forested area—approximately 50% of land in the District.

The Development Permit Area will make our neighbourhoods safer by reducing the risk of wildfire hazards to new buildings, as well as minimizing the spread of fires into the community. A development permit is now needed before constructing most single- and multiple-family homes and coach houses. Although the District Fire Department recommends these guidelines for all existing homes, a development permit is not required for work on existing homes.

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Due to climate change, there are a considerable number of dead cedar trees in our parks. Removing these trees is costly. Early this year, the Parks Department developed a pilot program for managing groups of dead trees on District-owned lands and parks, excluding boulevards. This program will allow residents to remove groups of dead trees at their own expense, using a District-approved contractor.

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