Whether you own a commercial orchard in the Okanagan, or simply have fruit trees on your British Columbia property, it makes sense that you want to do what you can to protect it from the impact of wildfires. Even if fruit trees never come into direct contact with the flames, the smoke can cause damage, as well as block the much-needed sunlight.
These effects can be long-lasting, sometimes impacting the trees into the following season and definitely jeopardizing potential fruit yield. But you don’t have to simply sit back and hope you’re not impacted by future local wildfires. Implementing a wildfire protection plan today can help you protect your property and restore your peace of mind.
What Is the Wildfire Risk Like Across British Columbia and the Okanagan?
British Columbia’s Okanagan region is nothing if not a fantastic place to establish an orchard, as numerous fruit trees thrive there, including cherry, apple, and peach trees. However, the climate is also fairly arid with hot, sunny, summers and abundant local vegetation.
Add those natural conditions to climate change-related factors like high winds and lengthy drought periods, and you’ve got a recipe for dangerous wildfires on your hands. In recent years, such fires have ravaged multiple thousands of hectares of land across British Columbia, including agricultural land occupied by valuable orchards.
The increasing magnitude and frequency of these fires underscores the pressing need for action plans that adequately assess and mitigate risk. This is the case for everyone in the Okanagan region, but especially crucial for orchard owners, as fruit trees don’t need to come into contact with flames to sustain damage, and significant damage can set your business back years.
Effective Wildfire Protection Strategies for Orchards and Fruit Trees
You don’t have to simply wait and hope that the next wildfire in your area spares your orchard. Instead, put together a protection strategy that involves preventative measures and preparedness, in addition to recovery plans to implement if needed.
Create a buffer zone for your orchard
Creating a generous defensible space between your fruit trees and any surrounding wild vegetation helps aid potential firefighting efforts, and potentially slow the spread of an active wildfire advancing toward your property. Keep the area clear of dead vegetation and debris. Leave ample space between fruit tree rows and keep lower branches well-pruned, as well.
Implement a moisture management plan
Keeping the soil in your orchard moist isn’t just good for your trees. It also helps make the conditions in your orchard less hospitable to fire. Consider installing an automated system that can simplify the process of watering consistently and maintaining ideal moisture levels.
Fire-proof your landscaping
Many orchard owners integrate fire-resistant plants and groundcover materials into their landscaping to help minimize fire risk. (Options like gravel and fire-resistant plants are popular choices.) Ensuring that flammable materials are properly stored and equipment is well-maintained can help reduce additional fire risks that might be present.
Establish an emergency preparedness plan
Knowing what to do in the event of an advancing wildfire is crucial when you own an orchard or have fruit trees to protect. Do you have access to adequate firefighting resources and know what evacuation route you’d take if necessary? How prepared is your community, in general, for the possibility?
How Professional Wildfire Protection Services Can Help
You can’t afford to leave your wildfire preparedness plan up to chance when your orchard is your livelihood, so seeking professional assistance is key. Here’s a brief overview of some of the options available.
Professional risk assessment
Although understanding your local region and its wildfire history is a great place to start when it comes to getting informed, it’s advisable to have your unique property professionally assessed. SPIEDR’s certified, experienced, wildfire consultants can help you identify vulnerabilities and other risks that are unique to your property and location.
Custom protection strategies
Once your assessment is complete, professionals can help you come up with a custom-tailored mitigation plan to minimize potential risk for your orchard (or any other business). Such plans may include strategies for creating robust defensible spaces, sprinkler kit installations, irrigation upgrade recommendations, structural protection units, fire fighting equipment rentals, and more.
Hands-on training
SPIEDR offers expert structure protection and wildland fire training options, which are a solid consideration for orchard owners and staff, to make sure they have the skills and knowledge they need to respond efficiently to potential wildfires. The more prepared you are, the greater your chances of seeing your orchard through British Columbia’s future wildfires.
Get Started with Professional Wildfire Protection for Your Okanagan Orchard
SPIEDR helps British Columbia and Okanagan property owners accurately assess, mitigate, and prepare for potential wildfire risk via a comprehensive range of applicable services.
In addition to professional wildfire consulting based on FireSmart and Firewise principles, we also offer top-tier training options, access to firefighting rental equipment, and more. Take the first step toward superior wildfire protection for your orchard and schedule an assessment with a wildfire consultant today!
