Building for Wildfire Resilience
2026 Professional Webinar Series
Wildfire resilience requires more than individual mitigation measures. It depends on decisions made across the built environment—from the design and construction of individual homes to neighbourhood planning, development practices, municipal policy, standards and long-term community investment.
Join FireSmart Alberta and industry experts for a four-part webinar series exploring practical approaches for integrating wildfire resilience into how Alberta communities are planned, designed, built and managed.
Practical knowledge. Stronger decisions. More resilient communities.
Who should attend?
Builders & Developers
Planners, Architects & Designers
Landscape Professionals
Municipal Staff & Leaders
Fire Services & Wildfire Practitioners
Insurers & Risk Professionals
…and others involved in Alberta’s built environment
Attend one session or participate in the full four-part series. Registration is completed separately for each session.
The Webinar Series
Planning for Wildfire Resilience: From the Home Ignition Zone to the Community
📅 Wednesday, September 16, 2026 | 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. MST | Online
Explore how homes ignite, FireSmart principles, the Home Ignition Zone, community-scale planning and lessons from research and real-world events. This session also introduces FireSmart development best practices and the FireSmart Development Recognition Program.
Presenters: Landon Shepherd (Parks Canada) | Scott VanderMeer (FireSmart Alberta) | Luke Collins (Natural Resources Canada)
Wildfire Risk, Insurance, and the Case for Resilient Development
📅 Thursday, September 24, 2026 | 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. MST | Online
Examine wildfire losses, insurance impacts, the economics of mitigation and the growing value proposition for wildfire-resilient development. Includes a case study of the Currie Creek project in Fernie, BC.
Presenters: Dan Sandink (ICLR) | Alex Miller (Big Block Construction / Resilient Homes Task Force) | Keith Porter (ICLR)
Designing and Building for Wildfire Resilience: Construction, Materials and Landscaping
📅 Tuesday, October 13, 2026 | 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. MST | Online
A practical look at construction details, exterior materials, roofs, vents, decks, landscaping and other design choices that can reduce wildfire vulnerability.
Presenters: Robin Urquhart (Emberline Enclosure Services Ltd.) | Karla Hoffman (FireSmart BC)
Creating the Conditions for Resilience: Planning, Policy, Standards and Funding
📅 Thursday, October 29, 2026 | 9:00 – 10:15 a.m. MST | Online
Explore planning tools, policy pathways, emerging standards and codes, funding opportunities and how Alberta can advance wildfire resilience through coordinated action.
Presenters: Chris Pottie (CIFFC) | Lucas Coletta (NRCan) | Noureddine Benichou (NRC) | Michael Coutu (FireSmart Alberta)
Why this series matters
Resilience is built across multiple scales—from the home and lot to development, community planning, and the policies and systems that support lasting change.
What participants can expect
Ready to join the conversation?
Registration is available individually for each webinar. Choose the sessions most relevant to your work—or participate in the complete four-part series.
📅 September 16 – October 29, 2026 | 💻 Online
Questions? Contact us at firesmart@gov.ab.ca
Together, we can build more wildfire-resilient communities.