View Royal Strata Becomes First FireSmart Recognized Neighbourhood in Greater Victoria

February 4, 2026

A townhome complex in View Royal is being recognized for taking proactive steps to reduce wildfire risk, becoming the first neighbourhood in Greater Victoria to achieve official status under the FireSmart Canada Neighbourhood Recognition Program. The Stonecliffe Strata, located at 2319 Chilco Road, received its FireSmart Recognized Neighbourhood designation after completing a year of coordinated wildfire risk reduction activities supported by the Town’s FireSmart program.

The FireSmart Canada Neighbourhood Recognition Program is a national initiative designed to bring neighbours together to take practical, science-based actions to reduce the impact of wildfire.

Wildfires are increasing in frequency and severity across the country. In 2025, Canada experienced one of the worst wildfire seasons on record. Vancouver Island was also not immune, with multiple wildfires across the island and a Wildfire Risk Level at Extreme for the South Island for much of the summer. Communities located next to forested areas, including View Royal, face a growing wildfire risk, making local prevention and preparedness efforts more important than ever.

Stonecliffe is a 43-unit townhome complex near Mill Hill Regional Park, Thetis Lake Regional Park, and a forested greenbelt that several homes back on to. The neighbourhood lies within View Royal’s Wildland Urban Interface, an area that has experienced wildfire in the past, including the Mill Hill wildfire in July 2020.

After being introduced to the program in October 2024, Stonecliffe residents formed a FireSmart Committee and appointed a Neighbourhood Champion, Errol Nadeau along with members Cheryl Relf, Cheryl Mackie and David Paulson. The committee worked closely with the Town of View Royal’s FireSmart Program to complete a wildfire hazard assessment, develop a mitigation plan, and lead multiple community cleanup and vegetation management projects.

“Our goal was never about recognition,” said Errol Nadeau, Neighbourhood Champion for the Stonecliffe FireSmart Committee. “We were focused on protecting our homes from potential wildfire damage. We are surrounded by forested parks and green space, and the risk is real. FireSmart gives us practical ways to reduce that risk. We cannot eliminate it, but we can substantially reduce it.”

In June 2025, more than 20 residents participated in a neighbourhood cleanup event as part of Wildfire Community Preparedness Day. Volunteers contributed more than 75 hours of work, removing large piles of branches, invasive scotch broom, and yard debris.

Stonecliffe’s efforts earned the strata a FireSmart Wildfire Community Preparedness Day Award and ultimately led to its successful application for FireSmart Recognized Neighbourhood status in December 2025. The community was formally presented with its recognition sign in January 2026.

Members of the Stonecliffe Strata receiving their FireSmart Recognized Neighbourhood status sign.

Ryan Eason, FireSmart Coordinator and Wildfire Mitigation Specialist with View Royal Fire Rescue, praised the group’s leadership and commitment to the neighbourhood program.

“Wildfire prevention is a shared responsibility. The partnership with Stonecliffe has shown that by working together and doing simple tasks around where you live can make your home, your neighbourhood and your community more resilient to wildfire.”

For Stonecliffe residents, the process also strengthened community connections. Nadeau encourages other neighbourhoods to take the first step.

“Start by attending an information session and then tackle the low hanging fruit like organizing a community cleanup of flammable debris,” he said. “It builds community and helps people think differently about wildfire risk and what they can do about it.”

The Town of View Royal’s FireSmart program supports residents with education, assessments, and resources to help reduce wildfire risk at both the individual property and neighbourhood level. Residents interested in learning more about the View Royal FireSmart program can visit www.viewroyal.ca/firesmart.

 

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