Nelson creates rules for wildfire resistant landscaping and building

Nelson city council has changed some of its construction and landscaping bylaws to help make the city more resistant to wildfire.

The changes are based on the understanding that a fire in the city is more likely to be started by an ember shower that could travel up to two kilometres, rather than by a wall of flame advancing on the city. In other words, the entire community is at risk from a nearby wildfire, not just the homes adjacent to the forest.

The new restrictions are all based on FireSmart, a nationally accepted set of principles about fire behaviour and how to lower fire risk to structures.

Mayor John Dooley told the Star that he’s pleased council made this move, and the next step is education.

“It is one thing to have these ideas and pass the bylaws,” he said, “and a whole other story to get the message out to people so they understand the need to make this kind of shift.”

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IMAGE: The changes are based on the understanding that a wildfire is more likely to spread to homes in the city by an ember shower that could travel up to two kilometres, rather than by a wall of flame approaching the town. Nelson Star File photo