Summerland has become the first community in British Columbia to treat utility poles with a fire retardant in high-risk wildfire areas. The Summerland Fire Department is applying a long-term solution to help protect the municipality’s power services from potential fire damage.
Deputy Fire Chief Pat Hawkes said the department is using Phos-Check LC95, a fire retardant designed to last throughout the wildfire season. Once tall grasses and overgrown brush are cleared from rural areas, the substance is applied to poles up to 2.4 metres in height. “This treatment helps ensure the utility poles remain safe even if a fire moves into the area,” Hawkes said. The approach is similar to the fire retardant used during the Peachland wildfire earlier this summer.
Summerland is among the first communities in Canada to use this method, setting an example for other fire departments. Hawkes expects many departments across the province will adopt this technique as part of their wildfire prevention strategies.
Alongside the fire retardant application, crews have been actively removing tall grasses and overgrowth around utility poles. These measures reduce the likelihood of wildfires spreading through high-risk areas in Summerland. Earlier in the year, the municipality applied for a $600,000 grant through the Union of B.C. Municipalities Community Resiliency Investment Program. Summerland has also committed to managing the 2025 FireSmart Community Funding and Support program, which supports wildfire preparedness and risk reduction.
Since the utility pole treatment is a new approach, the manufacturer provided additional product to ensure the community could test and implement the method effectively. Fire crews plan to reapply the retardant each spring to prepare for the upcoming wildfire season.
Summerland has experienced several wildfires in recent years. In early August, two separate fires were discovered, both believed to have been sparked by lightning. One was near Summerland itself, while another appeared near the Summerland Rodeo Grounds. In 2024, a wildfire in the Garnet Valley area came dangerously close to residential property. Historical records show that in 1996, a fire in Giant’s Head Mountain Park approached homes and property lines, highlighting the ongoing risk of wildfire in the region.
The fire department has also implemented other preventive measures. At times, access roads to Giant’s Head Mountain Park are closed to vehicles to reduce the potential for accidental fire starts. The combination of fire retardant-treated poles and vegetation management is part of a broader effort to protect the municipality’s infrastructure and residents from wildfires. Hawkes said that the current treatment is expected to safeguard the utility poles for at least one fire season, with annual reapplication likely to become standard practice.
Summerland’s innovative approach shows how communities can use new technologies and proactive planning to reduce wildfire risks. By treating utility poles and clearing surrounding vegetation, the municipality is setting a precedent for other regions to follow, strengthening safety measures against increasingly common wildfire threats.
