Critical Infrastructure Ignition Zone
Basics
Title
Critical Infrastructure Ignition Zone
Description
A FireSmart Canada informational guide describing fire protection zones around critical infrastructure. The document outlines four distinct zones (Non-Combustible Zone, Zone 1, Zone 2, and Zone 3) with specific vegetation management and fire mitigation strategies for each zone extending from 0 to 100 metres from structures. It provides guidance on creating defensible space through vegetation management, material selection, and landscape design to reduce wildfire risk to critical infrastructure.
Creator Organization
FireSmart Canada | British Columbia FireSmart
Document Type
fact sheet
Document URL
Full Text URL
Metadata
Keywords
FireSmart
|wildfire mitigation
|critical infrastructure
|ignition zone
|defensible space
|vegetation management
|fire-resistant landscaping
|fire protection zones
|wildland fire
|fire hazard reduction
|forest fire prevention
|ember protection
|fuel management
Document ID
202510171323
Copyright holder
Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre
Document Filename
firesmart-critical-infrastructure-ignition-zone.pdf
Storage Location
education/firesmart
Key Findings
The document establishes four priority zones for wildfire protection around critical infrastructure: Non-Combustible Zone (0-1.5m) requires elimination of all combustible materials and vegetation; Zone 1 (1.5-10m) emphasizes fire-resistant landscaping and removal of woody debris; Zone 2 (10-30m) focuses on thinning evergreen trees and creating horizontal spacing of 3 metres between tree crowns; Zone 3 (30-100m) recommends vegetation management to reduce wildfire intensity and change fire behavior dynamics. Key guidance includes avoiding woody materials near structures, selecting fire-resistant plants, proper tree pruning and spacing, and consulting forest professionals for zone-specific management strategies.
Image Descriptions
Page 1: Infographic diagram showing concentric zones around a critical infrastructure building (depicted as a small structure with power transmission tower). The illustration uses a radial design with color-coded zones: dark red/burgundy for Non-Combustible Zone (0-1.5 metres) immediately surrounding the building, orange/red for Zone 1 (1.5-10 metres), lighter orange for Zone 2 (10-30 metres), and yellow for Zone 3 (30-100 metres). Stylized evergreen and deciduous trees are distributed throughout the landscape, with higher density in outer zones. The zones are labeled with text boxes indicating their names and distances. The overall aesthetic uses a simplified, flat design style with a light blue background representing sky.
Page Count
1
Publisher Location
British Columbia
File Format
application/pdf
Geographic Locations
British Columbia | Canada