Aug 3, 2021 - Nelson Fire & Rescue Services is releasing two short animated videos to help residents and business owners better understand there are a number of things they can do to reduce the risk of losing their homes and buildings from wildfire. Through a grant from Columbia Basin Trust, the department contracted local illustrator Nathan Wilkinson and vocal artist Maddisun to create the two short animated films to help spread the message of FireSmart and wildfire safety.

“One of the reasons we wanted to create these short films was to illustrate how homeowners can prepare and protect their properties in the event of an ember shower,” said Fire Chief Len MacCharles. “About 90% of structures lost during wildfires are due to embers travelling on the wind up to 2 kilometres from the main fire. That means anywhere in Nelson could experience ember transfer from a nearby wildfire” 

These two shorts demonstrate the easy steps residents can take to “Be FireSmart – Today”. Chief MacCharles hopes that this format will help “Spread the message of how important FireSmart actions can be in protecting your home. The City of Nelson has done and continues to do a lot of work to lower the risk and impacts of wildfire but we are all in this together and we all need to do our part.” 

The original jingle “Be Ready When the Hot Winds Blow” was written and performed by singer-songwriter Maddisun with @maddisunmusic out of Cranbrook, BC.  Art direction by Nathan Wilkinson, Nelson Illustrator and Animation by Jonathan Ramos and Jack Chipman, both who are Nelson digital artists.

 Link to Nelson Fire & Rescue Services YouTube Videos: