FireSmart rebates are available to homeowners who live in participating communities and who take action to protect their homes against wildfire.
Depending on where they live, homeowners can receive up to $5,000 in rebates for performing FireSmart activities on their residential properties. Rebates are limited to 50% of the total cost. Funding for this program is provided to participating First Nations, municipalities and regional districts through the FireSmart Community Funding and Supports program.
How the program works
To qualify for funding, homeowners must have a FireSmart Home Ignition Zone Assessment of their property conducted by a qualified Local FireSmart Representative (LFR) or have their home assessed through the Wildfire Mitigation Program by a qualified Wildfire Mitigation Specialist (WMS).
Homeowners then work with their FireSmart representative to develop a work plan that offers practical recommendations to improve their home’s resiliency to wildfire. These recommendations can be completed by the homeowners themselves or with the help of a contractor. Applications for eligible rebates are administered by participating local governments and First Nations.
Once the recommended projects have been completed, a follow-up assessment is conducted and rebates are issued after the work has been confirmed to have been completed according to the recommendations.
What activities are eligible for rebates?
Rebates must be applied toward improvements and mitigation efforts recommended within the home assessment. Research has shown that the area immediately surrounding a structure is the most important. Most homes that burn during a wildfire are ignited by embers, not by a wall of flame. As many as 90% of structures damaged or destroyed during a wildfire are ignited by embers. In windy conditions, embers can be blown significant distances and create new fires kilometres away from the original wildfire. This occurred in 2023 when embers from a wildfire in West Kelowna were blown 2.5 kilometres across Okanagan Lake and started multiple new fires on the east side of the lake.
Depending on the program offered in the homeowner’s area, a range of mitigation activities may be eligible for rebates within 30 metres of the home, from having gutters cleaned and flammable vegetation removed to upgrading to fire-resistant siding, windows and/or roofing materials.
How can I participate in this program?
Thousands of homeowners in communities across B.C. have already taken advantage of this rebate, which can go toward the cost of materials and labour.
The first step is to contact your First Nation or local government to determine if they offer a rebate program or plan to develop one in the future.
If they do have a program, they will be able to provide details on the process, eligible activities, and rebate amounts. They’ll also be able to tell you how to book a free home assessment with a LFR or WMS.
If your First Nation or local government doesn’t offer a rebate program at this time, they may still offer free home assessments.
Even without a rebate program, a free home assessment is a great way to learn about your home’s vulnerabilities and identify ways to reduce risk to wildfire. There are many steps you can take to reduce your risk that don’t cost any money at all.
To find out if your community has a rebate program or to learn how to book an assessment, please reach out to your local FireSmart Coordinator.
