Every spring, Kamloops homeowners start thinking about the summer ahead — and for many of us, that means thinking about wildfire. After the 2017 and 2021 seasons, FireSmart isn't an abstract concept in the Thompson-Nicola region; it's something we design and build around. If you're planning a renovation, an addition, or a new custom home, there are real construction choices that can dramatically reduce the risk of your home igniting during a wildfire event. Here's what we've learned working on homes across Kamloops, Sun Peaks, Barnhartvale, and the surrounding neighbourhoods.
Why Construction Choices Matter More Than You Think
Homes typically don't burn down because a wall of flame reaches them. The vast majority ignite from wind-blown embers — small burning fragments that can travel a kilometre or more ahead of the main fire. Embers land on decks, roofs, in gutters, and against wood siding. If they find fuel, the home ignites.
That means FireSmart construction isn't about making your home fireproof — that's impossible — but about removing the easy ignition points. The good news is that many of these improvements pay for themselves over time through lower insurance premiums and better long-term durability, even if wildfire never reaches your property.
Roofing: The Single Most Important Decision
If you're doing a re-roof in the next few years, the material you choose matters enormously. Class A fire-rated roofing — metal, asphalt shingle, concrete or clay tile — resists ember ignition. Older cedar shake roofs, by contrast, are extraordinarily vulnerable and are often the reason a home is lost.
In Kamloops, metal roofing has become increasingly popular for new custom homes and major renovations. It carries the highest fire rating, sheds snow well, and typically lasts 40-50 years. Asphalt shingles are a more budget-friendly option that still offers strong fire performance when properly installed.
Equally important: keep your gutters clean. Dry pine needles accumulated in a gutter are one of the most common ember ignition points, and we see them every summer on properties throughout the Tournament Capital. Consider metal gutter guards if you have trees nearby.
Siding and Exterior Walls
Wood siding — especially older, dried-out cedar — is a major vulnerability. When we're renovating or building new, we typically recommend:
- Fibre cement siding (such as Hardie board) — noncombustible, durable, and available in looks that mimic wood
- Stucco — traditional, proven, fire-resistant
- Metal siding — increasingly popular for modern custom homes in the Thompson region
- Logs and heavy timber — surprisingly fire-resistant due to mass, though detailing matters
If you love the look of wood, fibre cement products today are remarkably convincing and hold up far better to Kamloops' hot, dry summers and cold winters. We've installed them on homes from Aberdeen to Juniper Ridge with excellent long-term results.
Decks, Porches, and the Ember-Trap Problem
Decks are one of the most overlooked wildfire risks. A traditional wood deck with an open underside collects debris, holds embers, and provides a fuel surface right up against the house. If your deck is older or due for replacement, consider:
- Composite decking with a fire-rated designation
- Enclosed deck skirting using fibre cement or metal to keep debris and embers from collecting underneath
- Non-combustible deck surfaces like concrete paver systems or metal pan decking for higher-risk properties
At minimum, keep the area under wood decks clear of stored items, firewood, and dry debris. What you store under your deck matters as much as the deck itself.
Windows and Openings
Radiant heat from a nearby fire can break single-pane glass long before flames reach the house, and once a window breaks, embers enter the interior. Tempered, double-pane windows resist this heat significantly better than older single-pane units. If you're already considering window replacement for energy efficiency — a worthwhile upgrade in Kamloops' climate — the fire resistance improvement is an excellent bonus benefit.
Vents are another entry point. Standard exterior vents often have coarse mesh that allows embers to pass through into attics and crawlspaces. Swapping to 1/8-inch non-combustible mesh or installing ember-resistant vents is an inexpensive upgrade that makes a real difference.
The 1.5-Metre Zone Around the House
The area immediately adjacent to your foundation is called the non-combustible zone in FireSmart guidance, and it's the most critical buffer. Within 1.5 metres of the home, there should be no combustible material — no wood mulch, no firewood piles, no juniper bushes, no stored propane tanks.
For Kamloops landscaping, we often recommend:
- Gravel or stone mulch instead of bark
- Non-combustible hardscape — pavers, concrete, stone paths
- Well-watered, low-growing plants kept trimmed back from walls
- Metal planters rather than wood
If you're planning a landscape overhaul as part of a renovation, incorporating this zone early saves money compared to retrofitting it later.
Accessory Buildings Count Too
Sheds, detached garages, and workshops can act as fuel that preheats or ignites the main house. When we build accessory structures for clients, we apply the same roofing, siding, and clearance standards as the main home. If you already have older outbuildings on your property, moving flammable items (lawn mowers, fuel cans, stored lumber) out of the 10-metre zone around the home is a simple, high-value change.
Insurance and Resale Implications
Insurance providers in BC are paying closer attention to wildfire exposure than they used to. Homes in designated interface areas may see higher premiums, restricted coverage, or — in some cases — non-renewal. Documenting FireSmart improvements (photos, receipts, contractor statements) gives you negotiating leverage with your insurer and can differentiate your property at resale. Buyers in Kamloops, particularly in neighbourhoods that have been under evacuation alert in recent years, increasingly ask about FireSmart features before making offers.
Where to Start
You don't need to do everything at once. The highest-impact, lowest-cost changes most Kamloops homeowners can make right now are:
- Clean gutters, roof valleys, and deck surfaces of accumulated debris
- Clear the 1.5-metre non-combustible zone around the home
- Move firewood piles at least 10 metres from structures
- Screen vents with fine non-combustible mesh
When it's time for bigger projects — a re-roof, a deck replacement, a siding refresh, or a full renovation — that's when the material choices we've outlined here pay the biggest long-term dividends.
Building FireSmart with Hodder Construction
Hodder Construction has been building and renovating homes in Kamloops for over 40 years. We've seen the region's climate and wildfire risk profile change significantly over that time, and we've adapted how we build in response. Whether you're planning a custom home, a major renovation, or just want to talk through which FireSmart improvements make sense for your property, we're happy to walk through the options with you.
If you're thinking about a project this year, reach out for an estimate — and ask specifically about FireSmart material choices. A small decision on your next renovation could make a very big difference when the smoke rolls in.