Structure Protection
Wildfire Structure Protection Crews in BC
Built to defend.
When wildfire threatens homes, communities and critical infrastructure in BC, Carmanah’s Structure Protection Crews and Structure Protection Specialists are there to hold the line. Our wildfire structure protection work means setting up and running sprinkler systems and SPU equipment, prepping structures and working alongside Strike Teams and the agency’s structure protection lead, with the same discipline, safety standards and teamwork we bring to the fireline.
How our crews support structure protection
Who we work with
Landowners. Municipalities. First Nations. Industry.
We support structure protection and wildfire mitigation for private landowners, municipalities, First Nations and industrial clients, with crews that deploy across BC, Alberta, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Ontario.
Utilities and critical infrastructure
Generating stations, telecom stations, substations, transmission and distribution rights-of-way, and the stations that power remote off-grid communities keep a region running during a fire, and many of them sit in the timber. Before the season our crews clear fuel and treat the zones around facilities, and our danger tree assessors and fallers deal with danger trees along lines and access roads. When a fire threatens a site, our Structure Protection Crews and Specialists support structure protection under the agency’s lead and the utility’s own site rules. Near power lines, our crews work to WorkSafeBC’s limits of approach under Part 19 of the OHS Regulation and our own safe work procedure, which treats every line as energized until the utility confirms it’s safe. We don’t do utility electrical work. Every crew has at least one Advanced First Aid attendant and works with our own fallers and danger tree assessors, so it can work remote sites without waiting on outside help.
Forestry and industrial operations
Camps, mills, log decks, equipment yards and the roads in and out are all worth protecting. Our crews do the fuel reduction and hazard tree work ahead of time, and during a fire they support structure protection around camps and facilities, run hose and pumps, and patrol once the fire passes. Our crews are built and led the same way on an industrial site as on the fireline, and we’re BC Forest Safety Council SAFE Certified.
Communities, First Nations and landowners
Most of the work that saves a structure happens long before smoke shows up. Our crews do FireSmart mitigation in BC outside fire season: structure perimeter clearing, Zone 1, 2 and 3 treatments and hazard tree removal for municipalities, regional districts, First Nations and private landowners. When a fire does reach the interface, our crews work alongside Strike Teams, SPU crews and agency reps to hold it back from homes and buildings, then stay on to mop up and patrol.
How our crews are built
Structure protection FAQ
Do we support structure protection for utilities and critical infrastructure?
Yes. Our crews support structure protection and wildfire mitigation around critical infrastructure, including generating stations, telecom stations, substations, transmission and distribution rights-of-way and the stations that power remote off-grid communities. Before the season that means fuel reduction around facilities and hazard trees along lines and access roads. During a fire, our crews work under the agency’s structure protection lead and the site owner’s safety rules.
Who leads structure protection on a wildfire in BC?
The agency’s structure protection lead and the incident team set the priorities. Our Structure Protection Crews and Specialists work under their direction, alongside Strike Teams, SPU crews and agency reps.
Can our crews do FireSmart work before fire season?
Yes. Our crews do FireSmart work outside fire season: structure perimeter clearing, Zone 1, 2 and 3 fuel treatments and hazard tree removal for municipalities, regional districts, First Nations and private landowners. It’s the same crews who show up when a fire is close.
How do our crews work near power lines?
Our crews work to WorkSafeBC’s limits of approach under Part 19 of the OHS Regulation and our own safe work procedure, which treats every line as energized until the utility confirms it’s safe. Where the utility’s rules call for more distance, we follow them. Our Danger Tree Assessors and certified fallers handle danger trees along lines, access roads and camps. We don’t do utility electrical work.
Where do we deploy structure protection crews?
Our head office is in North Cowichan, with bases in the Coastal, Kamloops, Cariboo and Prince George fire centres, and the Southeast Fire Centre follows in 2027. From there our crews deploy across BC, Alberta, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Ontario.
Talk about structure protection support
Based in North Cowichan, BC. Email info@carmanahwildfire.com or use our contact page to talk about your project.