As wildfire risk continues to intensify across British Columbia, the conversation around housing is shifting from reaction to resilience. Recently, industry professionals gathered for a focused technical education event dedicated to one critical question:

How do we build homes that are better prepared for wildfire exposure — without compromising performance or constructability?

Hosted in collaboration with Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), RDH Building Science, Hardy, and Owens Corning, this session delivered practical, construction-based solutions tailored specifically to Part 9 housing in B.C.

The goal was clear: equip builders, designers, and industry professionals with actionable strategies to improve wildfire resistance at both the building and site level.

Why Wildfire-Resistant Construction Matters

In B.C., wildfire is no longer considered a rare event — it is an ongoing and growing risk. For builders and developers, that means resilience must be integrated into design decisions early, just as we now do with energy efficiency and seismic considerations.

Wildfire resilience is not about one product or one upgrade. It’s about a system of thoughtful choices:

• Material selection
• Envelope detailing
• Fire-rated assemblies
• Exterior risk mitigation

This event broke those components down into three technical presentations.

1. Envelope Details & Material Selection: Closing the Points of Entry

The first session focused on one of the most critical vulnerabilities in homes during wildfire events: ember intrusion.

Wind-driven embers can travel significant distances and ignite homes through surprisingly small and often overlooked openings. Presenters explored:

Common ember entry points in Part 9 homes

• Roof-to-wall interfaces
• Vents and soffits
• Window and door perimeters
• Deck-to-wall connections

The discussion emphasized that wildfire resilience often comes down to detailing discipline.

Substituting combustible materials for non-combustible alternatives in strategic locations can significantly reduce risk. For example:

• Fiber cement cladding in place of combustible siding
• Non-combustible soffit materials
• Ember-resistant venting solutions
• Fire-resilient insulation and sheathing strategies

The key takeaway: Small design and specification changes can dramatically reduce ignition potential.

2. Constructing a 1-Hour Fire-Rated Wall Assembly

The second technical session explored how builders can achieve a 1-hour fire-rated wall assembly within the context of residential construction.

Rather than focusing on theory, presenters walked through:

• Assembly configurations
• Material combinations
• Gypsum layering strategies
• Sheathing options
• Insulation considerations

Participants examined how different components contribute to achieving a 1-hour rating and how to integrate those assemblies into standard residential builds without overcomplicating construction.

Importantly, the discussion addressed practical considerations:

• Cost implications
• Trade sequencing
• Inspection and compliance alignment

The objective wasn’t to introduce complexity — it was to provide clarity. Builders left with a stronger understanding of how to confidently design and construct fire-rated assemblies within Part 9 frameworks.

3. Exterior Measures: Reducing Risk Beyond the Building Envelope

Wildfire resilience doesn’t stop at the wall assembly.

The third session focused on site-level and exterior mitigation measures, highlighting how the area immediately surrounding a home plays a major role in survivability.

Topics included:

• Defensible space principles
• Landscaping considerations
• Surface materials adjacent to structures
• Deck construction and attachments
• Outbuilding placement
• Managing fuel sources near the home

The emphasis was clear: wildfire resilience is holistic. A non-combustible wall assembly is significantly less effective if surrounded by combustible landscaping or debris.

Practical Tools: NRCan Infographics & Guides

Throughout the event, presenters referenced a series of infographics and practical guides developed by Natural Resources Canada.

These resources are designed to:

• Simplify wildfire-resilient design principles
• Provide visual references for common vulnerabilities
• Offer specification guidance
• Support conversations between builders, designers, and clients

Participants received access to these materials to support implementation on active and future projects.

By combining technical insight with accessible tools, the event ensured attendees walked away not just informed — but equipped.

A Shift Toward Proactive Design

Wildfire-resistant construction is increasingly becoming part of the broader resilience conversation alongside:

• Energy efficiency
• Seismic performance
• Durability
• Climate adaptation

What this session reinforced is that wildfire resilience is not an “add-on.” It is a design consideration — and one that can be integrated early with minimal disruption when approached intentionally.

Much like Step Code or high-performance envelope design, the earlier wildfire measures are incorporated, the more seamless and cost-effective they become.

Looking Ahead

As wildfire seasons lengthen and intensify, the building industry plays a pivotal role in protecting communities. The collaboration between NRCan, RDH Building Science, Hardy, Owens Corning, and local industry partners demonstrates what’s possible when research, manufacturing, and construction expertise align.

Resilience is no longer optional.

It is becoming standard practice — and events like this are helping move the industry forward with clarity, confidence, and practical solutions.