Rural homes surrounded by forest have their own challenges when preparing for wildfires.

In Metchosin residents often find their homes B次元官网网址渋ntertwined with trees and forest,B次元官网网址� said Stephanie Dunlop, emergency co-ordinator and fire chief.

For the fire department, wildland urban interface fires add extra challenges because, B次元官网网址渋tB次元官网网址檚 where homes meet forest,B次元官网网址� Dunlop said explaining firefighters are not only working with a structure fire.

Dunlop will lead a workshop explaining what homeowners can do to help make homes more fire resistant.

B次元官网网址淧eople need to be concerned, a small ember could start a house fire,B次元官网网址� she said.

Homeowners will learn different risks from selected building materials including asphalt verses cedar shingles.

B次元官网网址淒o people have pine needles on their roof and in their gutters? There are also some plants that carry oils and burn easier than others,B次元官网网址� Dunlop explained.

Having some green grass growing around a home can slow down a fire and Dunlop advises people to regularly water areas around the home.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檒l be less likely to catch on fire,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淭hese are the types of proactive things you want to do. We have a much higher risk of a forest fire here than we do a tsunami.B次元官网网址�

The Metchosin Emergency Program hosts FireSmart-How to Prepare Your Home on Wednesday, July 31 at the fire hall, 4440 Happy Valley Rd. from 7 to 9 p.m.