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2024 Community Wildfire Prevention Grants

As part of our Wawanesa Climate Champions commitment to help build more climate resilient communities, we are proud to offer our Community Wildfire Prevention Grants.

Supporting community wildfire prevention is one of the ways we help build a safer, more sustainable future for our communities. In partnership with FireSmart Canada and the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction (ICLR), we provide 10 grants of up to $15,000 each to help communities across Canada reduce their risk of loss from wildfire through prevention activities.

The grant application period for 2024 is now closed. The announcement of the selected projects will take place in March 2025.

Learn more about our 2023/24 Community Wildfire Prevention Grants recipients.

Application components

1) Letter of Support

Complete a signed letter as proof of endorsement from your local fire department or other authorizing organization.

Download Letter of Support Template

2) Budget Template

Complete the Budget Template that meets funding requirements to help prepare for the budget questions in the application.

Download the Budget Template

3) Application form

Once your documents are prepared, use the link below to fill out the application form and submit your grant funding request.

Apply Fall 2025

Project eligibility and criteria

What activities can the grant be used for?

The grant funding is intended to support wildfire risk reduction and prevention activities in your community. The activities you propose in your project should be aimed at mitigating or preventing damages to your community caused by wildfires.

  • Prevention: reducing likelihood of wildfire, ex. changing behaviours
  • Mitigation: reducing impacts of wildfires, ex. fuel reduction

Wildfire response or suppression equipment will not be funded through this program.

A detailed breakdown of eligible and ineligible expenses can be found downloadable “Budget template”.

You will also need to select one of FireSmart’s seven disciplines to help neighbourhoods address the threat of wildfire.

Funding cannot be applied to normal operations of an organization or be in conflict with other partner provided funding programs such those operated by FireSmart Canada or ICLR.

Applicants should also demonstrate a clear need for funding.

Who can apply?

Any of the following applicants may apply:

  • Fire Departments
  • Municipalities
  • Indigenous Communities
  • Home/Neighborhood associations
  • Non-Profit/Charitable Organizations
  • Citizen Groups/Volunteer Community Groups

Applicants may not be any of the following:

  • A previous Wawanesa Community Wildfire Grant recipient community
  • A privately held for-profit company or corporation
  • Individual land/property owners requesting a grant specifically for single dwelling or residential property prevention projects

Applications from disproportionally affected communities may be prioritized.

How will the grants be selected?

Application submissions will be evaluated by a committee of select Wawanesa employees and wildfire prevention subject matter experts from FireSmart™ Canada and the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction (ICLR).

When can project work begin?

Project activities must begin in 2025 but not prior to March 1st 2025. Work on the project cannot extend beyond a 12 month period. Projects extending beyond 12 months in duration will not be considered.

Where can projects take place?

Projects submitted for grant funding must take place within Canada.

FAQ

Can I start my application form and save it or edit my application at a later date prior to submitting?

No. Once you begin the application form, please be prepared to submit it in its entirety.

What must be included with my application?

Applications are considered complete when they include the following:

  • Letter of Support from your local fire department representative and/or fire chief, or another authorizing organization
  • Completed Budget Template
  • Completed application form
Is a letter from my local fire department required?

Yes, this is required as part of the application process. We have provided a template to make this easier for you. This step is required as it helps us validate that the project you’ve proposed is in line with your fire department’s or other authorizing organization community prevention plans and will not directly conflict with any current initiatives in your community.

When are applications due?

The application period is open now. Submit your application until 11pm PT on November 29th, 2024.

When will the applicants selected for grant awards be announced?

Applicants selected to receive a grant will be contacted in March, 2025.

How much grant money can I apply for?

Applicants can apply for up to $15,000 per project.

How many grants will be awarded?

Ten grant projects up to $15,000 each for a total of up to $150,000 in grant funding will be awarded.

What if I still have questions about my application or the application process?

Please contact communityimpact@wawanesa.com with any outstanding questions.

2023/24 Community Wildfire Prevention Grants recipients

Alongside Property Owners Association

Nova Scotia

Learn more
This project will see the execution of a vegetation management plan to remove overly mature trees, deadwood, and undergrowth to reduce the fuel for wildfires and wind-related risks of trees falling on power lines and blocking access to roads. Once the vegetation has been cleared, community members will replant fire-resistant trees in the area. This project will allow the Alongside Property Owners Association, all residents on Mason's Point and the larger community of Head of St. Margaret’s Bay make a start on reducing the risk of wildfire and otherwise adapting to Climate Change.

City of Whitehorse

Yukon

Learn more
This project will see the launch of a FireSmart educational campaign through various media including bus ads, radio, print, websites, social media, and in-person events from May to October to help spread fire prevention education to residents and property owners. The project will target Whitehorse businesses, residents, families, and children with a goal to increase fire prevention actions on their residential and/or commercial properties.

Douro-Dummer Township Fire Department

Ontario

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This project will see the launch of an awareness campaign aimed at mixed groups of people from permanent residents and cottagers to short-term renters and summer visitors, with a goal to educate on wildfire prevention and mitigate property loss. The project will create and install signs in high foot traffic areas that will include QR codes to make current information easily accessible to anyone.

Parkland County Fire Services

Alberta

Learn more
This project will see community clean up events to engage residents to clear combustible materials and maintain firebreaks to reduce the risk of fires to homes and properties. By collaborating with local volunteers, community groups, and environmental organizations, the Parkland community will foster a culture of proactive prevention and community engagement.

Saulteau First Nations

British Columbia

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This project will see Saulteau First Nations create an emergency management manual and educational materials that are community-specific and culturally informed. These materials will be shared within the community and translated into one of their primary languages, Cree. This project will increase community capacity in emergency management through effective education, increased protection of homes, and cultivation of Saulteau First Nations' own approach to wildfire management using both contemporary emergency management and Indigenous knowledge.

Watson Lake Fire Department

Yukon

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This project will see the Lesser Slave Regional Fire Service offer their ‘Wildland Urban Interface Basics’ course to Watson Lake and supporting agency fire professionals and conduct community hazard assessments. The project will also distribute home sprinkler kits to community members coupled with an incentive for them to complete fire prevention strategies on their property.

Bimose Tribal Council

Ontario

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This project will see the launch of an education campaign to 10 First Nations and engage community members to practice fire prevention education. The project is rooted in collaboration and gathering at barbecue events held to distribute literature and create FireSmart committees to ensure ongoing co-ordination of wildfire prevention efforts. These initiatives will contribute to the reduction of wildfire risks in Bimose’s member communities and enhance resilience.

City of Yellowknife

Northwest Territories

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This project will see the development of educational materials to help residents learn how they can prevent wildfires from happening and reduce the impact of loss to their property. The project will also make updates to the city’s website to become the main source of accurate and timely wildfire prevention and emergency response information for the area.

Edson Fire Department

Alberta

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This project will see the creation of a new Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) as well as a geographic information system map for the Town of Edson to easily identify wildfire threats, while offering effective prevention and mitigation strategies for the ongoing safety of the town and its residents.

RM of Victoria Beach

Manitoba

Learn more
This project will see the development and execution of a vegetation management plan for the RM of Victoria Beach and surrounding municipalities. The community faces a major wildfire risk with overgrown brush, piles of dead/downed trees, and hazardous fuel loads in wildland urban interface areas. The project will safely remove large amounts of combustible material to make the community more wildfire resilient.

Setting Lake Cottage Owners Association

Manitoba

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This project will see the launch of a public education campaign to encourage residents to participate in a National Wildfire Protection Day event. The local fire department will work with the provincial wildfire service program to conduct free FireSmart Home Assessments to provide recommendations on how to prevent the spread of fire and reduce property loss. The project will offer subsidized sprinklers for purchase to residents and offer guidelines on how to configure, install, and operate their systems. A new sprinkler system will also be installed in the fire hall to ensure it remains operational and able to respond to emergencies.

Westwood Hills Residents Association

Nova Scotia

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This project will see a community event featuring knowledgeable industry speakers who will share best practices around vegetation and forest management. Attendees will receive a chance to win one of a few door prizes at the event which are fire-resistant vegetation they can plant on their property. The project will also create a forestry management equipment tool kit that any resident can borrow to reduce the risk of fire on their property and in their community.

Firesmart, Intelli-feu and other associated Marks are trademarks of the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre.

Application submissions will be evaluated first by a committee of select Wawanesa employees. The shortlist will then be judged by a committee of wildfire prevention and mitigation subject matter experts from Wawanesa, FireSmart™ Canada and ICLR. This Community Wildfire Prevention Grant program is subject to the Wildfire Prevention Grant program Terms & Conditions. By applying for a grant, all applicants are aware of and accept all of the Community Wildfire Prevention Grant program Terms & Conditions.

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