Throughout Bragg Creek, there's a tremendous stockpile of fuel for fire and that's kindling for disaster.

There's an effort afoot to reestablish the Greater Bragg Creek FireSmart Committee and several people have been stepping forward to help make it a reality. A community information meeting is being held this Wednesday, May 9, starting at 6 p.m. in the Bragg Creek Community Hall involving Rocky View County fire officials and area residents.

Rocky View Councillor Mark Kamachi, who is representing the council on the committee and is a longtime Bragg Creek resident, says being proactive goes a long way in avoiding the potential disaster of a fire in the heavily treed area.

"I've heard that this area is deemed as the next big hot spot for a potentially disastrous wildfire," says Kamachi. "We're like a cigarette butt or wind-blown amber away from  a potential wildfire disaster."

He hopes through education they can encourage residents to take preventative measures to reduce the threat.

"We can provide people with the education. That's the best defence. It's telling people to move those woodpiles leaning against their house away from your home, clear up the underbrush under our trees and such. That's all part of FireSmart, it's education."

Being FireSmart is not a topic he takes lightly and when he and his wife first moved to Bragg Creek they did take measures around their own home. But the threat goes beyond your property line; it could come from a neighbour's yard.

"It's a community effort that's required here and I don't think enough people understand that."

Others, though, share his concerns.

"I've been receiving a lot of calls because of what we've seen happen in Fort Mc, in B.C., Waterton Lakes,  down in California; grass fires that were happening up to December, so it's all around us."

Still, he doesn't want to leave people with the impression that there isn't personnel poised to act. From the Moose Mountain fire lookout, a constant eye is kept on the area watching for smoke and even monitor vehicle accidents in case a fire results. When a fire is reported, crews are quickly readied to deploy and in the background volunteers and additional support, including helicopters, are being lined up in case they are required.

"There are measures out there," says Kamchi. "These are stories we have to start telling people to ease that fear."

Rocky View County (RVC) council gave the thumbs up to reestablishing the FireSmart Committee in March and besides Councillor Kamachi it will include six Bragg Creek area residents who will serve a one-year term. Its aim is to develop strategic options to reduce the threat of wildfire, consult with the Bragg Creek community to respond to fire issues and provide feedback to RVC on fire issues and community protection within a 10-kilometre zone surrounding the community.