FireSmart & Wildfire Preparedness

What is FireSmart?

FireSmart is a nationally recognized wildfire prevention and mitigation program that helps homeowners, property owners, businesses, and communities reduce their risk from wildfire.

Research has shown that many homes lost during wildfires are ignited by embers rather than direct flames. These burning embers can travel several kilometres ahead of a wildfire and ignite vulnerable materials on or around a property.

FireSmart focuses on practical, proven actions that reduce wildfire risk within the Home Ignition Zone—the area extending up to 100 metres from a structure. A home's vulnerability to wildfire is influenced not only by the building itself, but also by the surrounding vegetation, landscaping, and combustible materials found throughout the property.

By making simple changes such as cleaning gutters, relocating firewood, pruning trees, reducing combustible materials, and selecting more fire-resistant building materials, property owners can significantly improve the likelihood that their home will withstand a wildfire.

Wildfire preparedness is a shared responsibility. When residents, businesses, agricultural producers, and local governments work together to reduce risk, we help protect lives, property, critical infrastructure, and the natural environment.

The District of Hope supports FireSmart initiatives through education, free assessments, rebate opportunities, property support programs, and community wildfire resilience planning.

Get FireSmart at Home

Understanding your property's Home Ignition Zone is one of the most effective ways to reduce wildfire risk.

Use the interactive FireSmart Home Ignition Zone guide to explore your property's vulnerabilities and learn practical steps you can take today to make your home and property more wildfire resilient.

FireSmart Property Support Program

The District of Hope's FireSmart Property Support Program provides free, hands-on assistance to help residents reduce wildfire risk around their homes and properties.

Through this program, trained FireSmart crew members can assist with small-scale, low-risk mitigation activities that support FireSmart principles and help create safer, more resilient neighbourhoods.

Services May Include:

• Removal of leaves, needles, and other combustible materials from around homes and outbuildings

• Relocation of firewood to safer distances from structures

• Cleaning accessible gutters to remove flammable debris

• Basic pruning to remove lower tree limbs and ladder fuels

• Light vegetation thinning within recommended FireSmart zones

Please note that services are limited to tasks that can be safely completed by the FireSmart crew and align with FireSmart BC guidelines. Large-scale landscaping projects, chainsaw work, roof access, and hazardous terrain are not included.

Who Can Apply?

Priority may be given to residents who:

• Have completed a FireSmart Home Assessment

• Face barriers to completing the work independently

• Live in areas identified as having elevated wildfire risk

• Have properties that are safe and accessible for crew operations

Before You Apply

A free FireSmart Home Assessment must be completed before requesting support through this program. The assessment provides property-specific recommendations and helps identify the most effective actions for reducing wildfire risk.

How to Apply

Applications can be submitted online or in person at District of Hope Town Hall.

As program capacity is limited, applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until available funding and crew resources have been fully allocated.

By helping residents complete practical wildfire mitigation work, the FireSmart Property Support Program supports safer homes, stronger neighbourhoods, and a more wildfire-resilient community.

FireSmart Rebate Program

Taking action to reduce wildfire risk on your property can pay off. The District of Hope's FireSmart Rebate Program helps residents offset the cost of completing eligible FireSmart activities identified through a FireSmart Home Assessment.

Residents may be eligible for reimbursement of up to 50% of eligible project costs, to a maximum rebate of $500.

How the Program Works

1. Book a Free FireSmart Home Assessment
   A Wildfire Mitigation Specialist will visit your property and provide recommendations tailored to your home's specific wildfire risks.

2. Complete Recommended FireSmart Activities
   Carry out one or more of the recommended mitigation actions identified during your assessment.

3. Document Your Work
   Take before-and-after photos and keep receipts for eligible materials and expenses. Labour completed by the property owner may also be eligible.

4. Submit Your Rebate Application
   Complete the rebate application form and submit it along with supporting documentation, including receipts, photographs, and a record of any eligible labour hours.

Eligible Expenses

Eligible costs may include materials, supplies, and approved FireSmart mitigation activities completed in accordance with recommendations provided during your assessment.

Resident labour is valued at $32 per hour for eligible FireSmart activities completed on your property.

Program Availability

Funding is limited and rebates are available on a first-come, first-served basis while funding remains available. Applicants are encouraged to complete and submit their applications as soon as possible following their FireSmart work.

Get Started

The first step is a free FireSmart Home Assessment. Contact the FireSmart team to book your assessment and learn how you can make your property more resilient to wildfire while qualifying for available rebate funding.

Email: firesmart@hope.ca

Wildfire preparedness for farms and ranches requires a different approach than residential properties. Agricultural operations often include barns, livestock facilities, hay storage, fuel storage, equipment sheds, fencing, and other critical infrastructure that can be particularly vulnerable during a wildfire.

To help local producers reduce risk, FireSmart Hope offers free FireSmart BC Farm & Ranch Assessments for agricultural properties within the District of Hope.

This program is separate from the District's residential FireSmart assessment program. Farm & Ranch Assessments are specifically designed for agricultural operations and focus on protecting critical farm infrastructure, improving emergency preparedness, and reducing wildfire risk across working farms and ranches.

Designed for Agricultural Operations

Unlike residential FireSmart assessments, Farm & Ranch Assessments focus on the unique needs of agricultural properties and working operations. Assessments are conducted by trained FireSmart professionals and evaluate factors that can affect the survivability of critical agricultural infrastructure during a wildfire event.

Assessments may include:

• Barns and livestock facilities

• Equipment and machinery storage areas

• Hay and feed storage

• Fuel storage locations

• Fencing and access routes

• Water sources and emergency planning

• Vegetation and combustible materials surrounding agricultural structures

What You'll Receive

Following the assessment, participants receive a customized report that identifies:

• Areas of elevated wildfire risk

• Property-specific mitigation recommendations

• Opportunities to improve emergency preparedness

• Actions that can help protect critical infrastructure and improve firefighter effectiveness during a wildfire event

Research has shown that properties incorporating FireSmart principles are easier and safer for firefighters to defend during an emergency.

Funding Opportunities

Completing a Farm & Ranch Assessment may also help producers access funding opportunities available through programs such as the Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC (IAF) and other agricultural resilience initiatives.

Funding may be available for projects such as:

• Fire-rated roofing and building retrofits

• Protection of critical farm infrastructure

• Vegetation and combustible material reduction

• Other wildfire mitigation activities identified through the assessment process

Many funding programs require that recommended work be identified through a completed FireSmart Farm & Ranch Assessment.

Supporting a Resilient Agricultural Community

Wildfire preparedness is about more than protecting buildings. It's about protecting livelihoods, livestock, food production, and the long-term sustainability of agricultural operations.

FireSmart Hope is committed to helping local producers reduce risk and strengthen the resilience of Hope's agricultural community.

Book Your Free Assessment

If you operate a farm or ranch within the District of Hope and would like to schedule a free FireSmart BC Farm & Ranch Assessment, please contact:
Email: firesmart@hope.ca

The District of Hope's Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan (CWRP) serves as a roadmap for reducing wildfire risk and strengthening community resilience.

Developed in collaboration with residents, community stakeholders, neighbouring First Nations, and wildfire professionals, the plan identifies local wildfire hazards and outlines actions that can be taken to better protect people, property, infrastructure, and natural areas.

Supported through provincial funding programs, the CWRP helps guide local wildfire preparedness, mitigation, response planning, and FireSmart initiatives throughout the community.

Why It Matters

Living in a forested environment means wildfire preparedness is an ongoing responsibility. The Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan helps the District:

• Identify areas of elevated wildfire risk

• Prioritize mitigation and fuel management activities

• Support emergency preparedness and response planning

• Guide FireSmart education and outreach programs

• Strengthen long-term community resilience

Looking Ahead

The Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan will guide FireSmart and wildfire risk reduction efforts in Hope through 2030, helping ensure our community remains proactive, prepared, and resilient in the face of increasing wildfire risk.

Residents are encouraged to learn more about the plan, watch the overview video, and explore the recommendations that will help shape wildfire resilience efforts throughout the District.

View the Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan
Watch the Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan Overview Video

Wildfire resilience is strongest when communities work together.

The Local FireSmart Collective Program (LFCP) helps neighbourhoods, community organizations, businesses, farms, ranches, and other groups take collective action to reduce wildfire risk and improve community preparedness.

Replacing the former FireSmart Canada Neighbourhood Recognition Program (FCNRP) in British Columbia, the LFCP recognizes and supports groups that are committed to creating safer, more wildfire-resilient communities.

A Community-Based Approach

The program is designed to be flexible and inclusive, allowing a wide range of groups to participate based on their unique needs and circumstances. Whether you're part of a residential neighbourhood, agricultural community, business area, campus, park, or First Nation community, the LFCP provides a framework for planning and implementing meaningful wildfire risk reduction activities.

How the Program Works

Participants work alongside FireSmart representatives to:

1. Create a Local FireSmart Collective profile

2. Complete a Local FireSmart Collective Assessment

3. Develop a Collective Action Plan tailored to their area

4. Implement mitigation activities and track progress over time

The program uses a four-tier recognition system that celebrates achievements and encourages continued progress toward greater wildfire resilience.

Why Participate?

By working together, community members can:

• Reduce wildfire risk in shared spaces

• Improve neighbourhood preparedness

• Strengthen community resilience

• Access FireSmart resources and support

• Receive recognition for collective wildfire mitigation efforts

Get Involved

Interested in helping your neighbourhood, organization, or community become FireSmart?

Contact the District of Hope FireSmart team to learn more about the Local FireSmart Collective Program and how to get started.

Email: firesmart@hope.ca

Together, we can build safer neighbourhoods and a more wildfire-resilient community.