Wildfires are inevitable. Losing your home isn’t.
Build Your Home to Protect What Matters Most.
Wildfire threats in Harrison Hot Springs, Agassiz, Hope, and the Fraser Valley aren't theoretical—they're real and increasing. Protect your family, your home, and your memories by building confidently with FireSmart construction from Kurts Construction.
Is your home ready for BC’s next wildfire season?
Imagine having minutes to evacuate. Is your home built to withstand embers and flames, or will it become fuel? Traditional construction often overlooks critical FireSmart guidelines, leaving homes vulnerable to devastating wildfires.
Every year, BC families face:
Don’t leave your home’s safety up to chance.
The solution: Kurts Construction FireSmart Homes
At Kurts Construction, we specialize in FireSmart construction—building resilient, safe, and attractive homes designed specifically to withstand BC’s increasing wildfire risks.
We follow proven FireSmart guidelines, including:
Kurts Construction ensures every detail aligns with FireSmart’s highest standards, keeping your home safer and protecting your peace of mind.
Understanding FireSmart: Home Ignition Zones
Your home’s safety begins with smart management of three critical areas:
Immediate Zone (0–1.5 m)
No combustibles (use gravel, stone, or concrete landscaping; remove vegetation against the home).
Intermediate Zone (1.5–10 m)
Fire-resistant and well-managed vegetation, pruning lower branches, keeping grass short, and spacing plants strategically.
Extended Zone (10–30 m)
Tree spacing and removal of fallen debris, ensuring clear routes for emergency responders.
Why It Matters:
Wildfire risk is rising in BC
With hotter, drier summers and more intense fire seasons, wildfires are no longer a distant risk. They’re showing up in our backyards—literally. And in rural and forested communities like Harrison Hot Springs, Agassiz, and Hope, proactive protection is no longer optional.
A well-designed home can significantly reduce the risk of fire damage—sometimes making the difference between loss and survival.
We build with those odds in mind.
What makes a home “FireSmart”?
A FireSmart home isn’t fireproof—but it’s designed to resist ignition and slow the spread of flames and embers, buying precious time and protection.
Kurts Construction incorporates FireSmart-aligned upgrades, including:
ICF Walls & Fire-Resistant Cladding
Non-combustible materials like Insulated Concrete Forms and fiber-cement siding resist ignition.
Metal or Treated Roofs
Fire-rated roof assemblies that stand up to falling embers.
Sealed Vents & Soffits
Ember-proof vents that prevent sparks from entering your attic or crawlspace.
Tempered Glass Windows & Non-Combustible Trims
Designed to withstand heat and limit breakage.
Defensible Landscaping Guidance
Clear space, fire-resistant plantings, and gravel-based ground cover.
Seamless Decking & Understructure Treatments
Closed decks and fire-retardant materials prevent embers from gathering underneath.
FireSmart construction services by Kurts
Fire-resistant Roofing
Class A-rated, ember-resistant roofing materials that help prevent flame spread and protect your home during wildfires.
Non-combustible Siding & Cladding
Durable, fire-resistant materials like fiber cement or metal that offer both safety and modern curb appeal.
Ember-resistant Venting
Specialized vents designed to keep embers out while maintaining proper airflow throughout your home.
Landscaping & Vegetation
Strategic plant selection and layout to reduce flammable vegetation and create defensible space around your property.
FireSmart Renovations
Retrofit your home with fire-resistant materials and upgrades that align with FireSmart safety standards.
FireSmart Features: At a Glance
Here's how a FireSmart home compares to a traditional build:
| Feature | Traditional Build | Kurts FireSmart Build |
|---|---|---|
| Roof | Asphalt shingles (combustible) | Metal / treated non-combustible |
| Walls | Vinyl or wood siding | ICF walls + fire-resistant cladding |
| Windows | Single-pane glass | Tempered dual-pane windows |
| Vents | Open vents | Ember-proof vents |
| Landscaping | Dense, unmanaged vegetation | FireSmart defensible zones |
Overall the final product exceeded our expectations and we would absolutely recommend Kurts Construction to anyone planning a new build.
The construction of our cottage posed a number of significant challenges. The unique design was coupled with a rugged building site in a remote location with limited access for large equipment or any fragile building supplies. And to top it all off, construction began just as Covid started to become a significant issue. Not a project for the faint of heart.
Kurts Construction met all these challenges with a skilled team that was exceptionally easy to work with. They dealt effectively with the unexpected issues and adjustments that come with such a complex build. Their local knowledge and connections enabled them to pull together the right resources to make the process as stress free as possible. This was especially important as we were quite a distance from the site during most of the construction and had limited ability to do site visits.
Cher Kurts’ assistance with the selection of some of the interior finishing detail was a great added extra that the team provided.
— Tim Brandenborg & Gay Robinson
Why choose Kurts Construction for your FireSmart home
Expertise
20+ years building resilient homes in BC.
Local Commitment
Knowledge of Fraser Valley-specific wildfire risks and solutions.
Complete Confidence
Proven materials and techniques, ensuring safety and peace of mind.
Personalized Service
Tailored FireSmart strategies that match your home, lifestyle, and budget.
Your top FireSmart questions answered
Typically, the increase is modest and quickly offset by reduced fire risk, lower insurance premiums, and enhanced property value.
Not at all. Our FireSmart materials and designs seamlessly blend aesthetics and resilience—you’ll love the look as much as the safety.
Yes. Many insurers offer discounts for FireSmart-certified homes. We recommend contacting your provider for details.
Absolutely. Kurts Construction can retrofit your current home with critical FireSmart upgrades.
Not everywhere—yet. But with BC’s changing climate, local governments are already recommending (or mandating) FireSmart features for new builds in at-risk zones.
FireSmart recommends a 1.5–10m “ignition zone” around your home to be free of flammable materials. We guide you through a defensible space plan as part of your design.
Helpful resources & further reading
Don’t wait until the smoke appears
Act now to protect your family, your home, and your peace of mind. Build or renovate confidently with Kurts Construction’s FireSmart homes.
We know the unique challenges of building in:
Kurts is local, trusted, and FireSmart-aware. We work with your region’s bylaws, terrain, and vegetation to build smarter from the ground up.