It’s a not uncommon sight in Kelowna – members of the public jumping into action to put out a grass or brush fire before the fire department even arrives on the scene.

Heightened awareness about how fast these fires can spread and how much damage they can do to a community means the Kelowna Fire Department has thousands of extra eyes watching for the first sign of smoke.

“We’ve had assistance from the public fighting several bush fires recently,” notes fire prevention officer Paul Johnson. “Neighbours have grabbed a hose or shovel and held the fire until the fire department has arrived.”

He says the actions of these residents have made a huge positive impact in reducing fire growth.

“However, I also want to stress, as much as the Kelowna Fire Department appreciates the assistance from the public, we also want to ensure that they do so in a safe manner.”

That means realizing the inherent risks that come with wildfires. Johnson says you should make sure you are fighting the flames from a safe location, that you are wearing proper footwear and ensure you have a safe exit route if something were to go wrong.

The addition of an urban forester to city staff about a year ago has also significantly boosted FireSmart efforts and awareness.

Crews have been busy clearing potential fuel like cedars and junipers from municipal property. A free chipping program was offered to homeowners in some communities earlier this year and a new video was released this week, showing commercial property owners how to reduce the risks around their businesses.