Ember Stomp focuses on wildfire preparedness
A regional wildfire preparedness event returning to Jaffray on May 1 is being positioned as more than a family friendly spring outing. For residents across the Elk Valley and South Country, organizers say the third annual Ember Stomp is meant to provide practical, local information that could make a real difference when wildfire risk rises.
Hosted by the East Kootenay FireSmart Program, the event will run from noon to 7 p.m. at the Jaffray Community Hall at 7369 Jaffray Village Loop Rd. While based in Jaffray, the day is expected to draw participation and interest from across the broader Elk Valley region, where communities such as Sparwood, Fernie and Elkford have all had to think seriously about wildfire risk in recent years.
RDEK Emergency and Disaster Mitigation Coordinator Sloane More said the goal is to help people understand how preparedness begins at home and spreads outward into the wider community.
“All residents in the area are invited to take part in Ember Stomp to learn what they can do to help themselves, their neighbours, and their communities be prepared in case of wildfire,” More said.
That message is likely to resonate in the Elk Valley, where rugged terrain, forested landscapes and dry seasonal conditions can quickly turn a small ignition into a serious concern. Communities throughout the valley live close to the land and, in many cases, close to the kinds of natural fuels that can intensify wildfire behaviour. That makes public education and neighbourhood level mitigation especially important, particularly during spring when people begin yard clean-up, outdoor burning and seasonal property work.
This year’s event will feature an educational presentation at 1 p.m. followed by a live fire demonstration at 2 p.m. from Elk Valley and South Country Rural Fire and Rescue Service. For valley residents, that local involvement matters. It connects preparedness messaging directly to the firefighters and emergency responders who would be on the front lines if wildfire threatened homes, acreages or rural properties in the area.
More said local FireSmart representative Jessica Chalmers has put significant effort into shaping the day’s programming.
“Local FireSmart Representative, Jessica Chalmers, has worked incredibly hard on put-ting together a day filled with activities, including an educational presentation at 1 PM, a live fire demonstration at 2 PM from our Elk Valley and South Country Rural Fire and Rescue Service, and more. Bring the kids to check out the wildland firefighting apparatus, play games, meet Ember the FireSmart Fox, and learn more about wildfire preparedness.”
For families in the Elk Valley, organizers are hoping that mix of education and hands on engagement will make the event approachable. Children can meet Ember the FireSmart Fox, explore firefighting equipment and take part in games, while adults can speak directly with specialists about what they can do around their homes and properties to lower wildfire risk.
The list of participating organizations reflects that broader, valley wide approach. Groups expected to attend include the East Kootenay FireSmart Program, Elk Valley and South Country Rural Fire and Rescue Service, BC Wildfire Service, Living Lakes Canada, the BC Ministry of Forests Wildfire Risk Reduction branch, Rocky Mountain Trench Society, ʔa·kinq̓ uku Fire Service LTD, the Western Painted Turtle Recovery Team, Fernie Home Hardware Building Centre, Cloverdale Paints, C.L.E.A.R. Society, Kootenay Landscaping, GFL, Fernie Garden Centre, Gallagher eShepherd Virtual Fencing, South Country Ag Society and the Kootenay Livestock Association.
That combination of agencies, community groups and businesses speaks to how wildfire preparedness in the Elk Valley touches many parts of daily life. It is not limited to emergency services. It involves forests, watersheds, landscaping, agriculture, livestock management, building supplies and environmental stewardship. In a region where residents often balance town living with close ties to rural land use, that wider lens may be particularly valuable.
The presence of Elk Valley and South Country Rural Fire and Rescue Service also gives the event a distinctly regional grounding. Rather than treating wildfire as a distant provincial issue, Ember Stomp ties the conversation to local responders and local realities. For people in communities like Sparwood and Fernie, that can make preparedness advice feel more immediate and relevant.
The event also arrives at a time when wildfire readiness is already on people’s minds. Across southeastern British Columbia, spring often brings a shift in public attention toward conditions on the ground, open burning practices and early season response capacity. Even before the peak summer months arrive, many residents are already watch-ing for signs of dryness and considering what kind of season may lie ahead.
A concession will also be available for lunch through the Jaffray Community Club and the Sand Creek Lions Club, helping reinforce the event’s community based feel. That matters in a place like the Elk Valley, where public events often double as chances to strengthen local networks and relationships. In an emergency, those networks can prove just as important as formal systems.
More said the strength of Ember Stomp lies in the willingness of regional partners to come together and share their expertise with the public.
“We’re grateful to all of our participating partners for generously contributing their time and resources to help ensure residents have the chance to learn practical steps to protect themselves and their properties,” More said.
More information about Ember Stomp and other FireSmart events is available through the East Kootenay FireSmart engagement page, as the region continues to encourage residents to think locally, act early and prepare before wildfire season intensifies.