FireSmart

Wildfire is a risk that all British Columbians need to be prepared for, but while that seems like a big task, the City of Prince George and FireSmart are here to help you get started and make proven steps toward protecting your home and your community from wildfire.

FireSmart rebate program 2026

Receive up to $750 in rebates and save on your home insurance.

The City of Prince George’s FireSmart program is offering a local rebate program to residential property owners within municipal boundaries who complete eligible FireSmart activities on their properties. For strata properties, rebates are available for the common property areas.

Application intake available until September 18, 2026.
All projects must be completed by September 18, 2026.

Rebates are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Rebates pay for 50% of the project cost, up to a maximum of $750.

FireSmart Rebate Application

Under the FireSmart Community Funding & Supports program, approved program administrators like the City of Prince George can use grant funding to offer local rebate programs to residential property or homeowners that complete eligible FireSmart activities on their properties in the FireSmart Home Ignition Zones which includes the home and surrounding yard area.
This grant is available to all homeowners within municipal boundaries.
Qualification Requirements
Residential property owners must complete and submit a FireSmart Rebate Application.
A Wildfire Mitigation Assessment shall be provided and completed by a qualified Wildfire Mitigation Specialist (WMS) for the residential property, including pre-treatment photographic documentation of all identified project areas.
Projects may be prioritized based on the extent to which the proposed work aligns with FireSmart principles and improves the residence’s resilience to wildland fire.
Rebates are limited to a maximum of 50% of the total cost of the eligible activities identified in the table and no more than $750 per property, per year. The total number of grants available is limited to available grant funding.
A re-assessment shall be required upon completion of the approved projects to photograph and document the completed work.
Work must be completed within 60 days of the assessment; extensions may be granted by the WMS.
Receipts for all incurred expenses identified in the original WMS assessment must be submitted (if applicable).

Eligible activities

Home or structure
1	Roof Materials Gutters Vents and Openings	Install UL/ASTM fire-rated roofing (metal, clay, asphalt shingles) Install non-combustible gutters and/or gutter covers Remove roof surface tree needles, debris or overhanging branches Install closed eaves and/or non-combustible fire-rated vents or vents with 3mm screening, excluding dryer vents.
2	Building Exterior or Siding	Install ignition resistant (fiber cement board or log) or non- combustible (stucco, metal, brick/stone) exterior siding material Repair gaps, cracks or holes where embers could lodge or penetrate Provide 15cm non-combustible vertical ground-to-siding clearance
3	Windows and Doors	Install tempered glass in all doors and windows Replace single pane window glass with multi pane / thermal window glass Repair gaps in doors / garage doors where embers could accumulate or penetrate
4	Balcony, deck, porch	Install non-combustible or fire-rated, solid (no gaps or cracks) deck surface and support construction Close open deck structures or remove all combustibles below deck
FireSmart Immediate Zone (0 to 1.5 meters from Home)
5	1.5 meters from furthest extent of home	Replace combustible surfaces with non-combustible surfaces Remove combustible debris, materials, fences or plants
FireSmart Intermediate Zone (1.5 to 10 meters from Home)
6	Adjacent Combustibles	Move woodpiles, building materials and all other combustibles into the Extended Zone or enclose in an approved outbuilding that meets FireSmart guidelines
7	Outbuildings not meeting FireSmart guidelines	Upgrade outbuildings to meet FireSmart guidelines or relocate outbuildings more than 10 meters from home Ensure any structures retained in this area are treated to the same standards as decks, and hardened against ember transfer Examples of outbuildings include external heat sources, smoke houses, outdoor kitchens, etc.
8	Trees	Remove coniferous trees from this zone or mitigate mature conifers (limb to 2 meters or ⅓ of canopy, whichever is less and ensure 3 meter crown spacing where ecologically appropriate). Promote deciduous trees that are resistant to wildfires
9	Surface vegetation and combustible materials	Cut and maintain grass to less than 10cm or shorter Plant low-growing, well-spaced, fire-resistant plants and shrubs, avoid having any woody debris, including mulch Ensure surface debris is kept to a minimum. Remove dead branches, excessive build-up of pine needles, and heavy accumulation of grass
FireSmart Extended Zone (10 to 30 meters from Home)
10	Trees	Thin coniferous trees or replace with deciduous tree species Remove conifer tree branches within 2 meters of the ground or ⅓ of canopy, whichever is less and ensure 3 meter crown spacing where ecologically appropriate)
11	Surface Vegetation	Reduce surface vegetation – long grass and flammable shrubs Reduce accumulations of branches, logs and debris

Step 1: Complete the FireSmart Rebate form.
Step 2: Wait to be contacted by a City of Prince George Wildfire Mitigation Specialist (WMS) for approval and to schedule a Wildfire Mitigation Assessment. The initial assessment must be completed by the WMS before starting any proposed projects.
Step 3: Complete the FireSmart treatment as recommended through your assessment. FireSmart work must be completed within 60 days of the initial assessment. Extensions may be granted by a WMS. Refer to the FireSmart Begins at Home and FireSmart Guide to Landscaping for more information.
Step 4: Book a follow up for assessment approval from your WMS.
Step 5: Once all projects are approved as complete by the WMS, the following documents will be processed:
- FireSmart Rebate application form
- Wildfire Mitigation Assessment report (completed by the WMS)
- Re-assessment (after project completion)
- Receipts of incurred expenses if applicable
Step 6: When your application has been processed, cheques will be mailed within 3 to 4 weeks.
Further questions or comments can be sent to Fire.Smart@princegeorge.ca or by calling (250) 561-7747.

FireSmart 101

- FireSmart BC is the provincial program committed to helping British Columbians reduce
  their wildfire risk.
- FireSmart is the Canadian standard recognized by all provinces and territories
  and is based on National Fire Protection Association standards that have evolved
  over the last 40 years.
- The FireSmart program was developed to help people reduce the risk of personal
  property damage due to wildfires.
- FireSmart BC is the go-to resource for individuals, neighbourhoods and communities
  looking to protect themselves and their properties from wildfire.
- FireSmart BC is based on scientific research that shows that doing simple FireSmart
  tasks like mowing your lawn, cleaning your gutters and pruning your trees can make your
  property more resilient to wildfire.
People can play a critical role in mitigating wildfire risks around their homes and
properties by undertaking FireSmart initiatives. For example, residents can help protect their homes by:
- Cleaning any dry debris like leaves or branches from under decks,
- Making sure roofs and gutters are clean and clear,
- Keeping lawns cut short (below 10 centimetres) – wildfire loves tall grass!,
- Moving items like firewood, propane tanks, plastic toys, dog houses at
  least 10 M from structures.
- Keeping trees and shrubs pruned and watered,
- When planting new trees or plants, opt for the leafy variety that are more
  resistant to fire. Examples are poplar, birch, aspen, cottonwood, maple,
  alder, ash and cherry.
- Visit FireSmart BC to find out how to make your property and community more
  resilient to wildfire.
- Resident’s can use the interactive FireSmart Begins at Home Guide to make their
  property and neighbourhood FireSmart.
- The interactive Landscaping Hub includes an extensive list of fire-resistant plants, tips
  on how to create a FireSmart landscape, and information on the FireSmart BC Plant
  Program.