FireSmart

Update as of Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023 - West Kelowna Fire Rescue staff are currently assisting with the McDougall Creek wildfire. This will result in longer wait times for FireSmart programming and inquires. We will get back to you as soon as possible. Thank you for your patience.

What's new

The 2023 FireSmart^TM Local Grant Program is now live! Please review all associated information found below.

Reduce your risk from wildfires

Take FireSmartactions today to reduce the risks of future wildfires affecting our community and your home.

Did you know? A well-maintained home, with a fire-resistant roof and a FireSmart immediate and Intermediate zone (zero to 10 metres from the home) is 90 percent more likely to survive a wildfire.

Take part in our FireSmart programs and events, seek recognition through the program, conduct a self-assessment, and start right away on your home or property using the FireSmart Homeowners Manual or Landscaping Guide. See below for programs, events, and resources (including videos).

For more resources and information, take the FireSmart 101 Course or visit FireSmart BC and FireSmart Canada.

2023 Programs

Local Grant Program

The City of West Kelowna and Westbank First Nation, in partnership with the Community Resiliency Investment (CRI) Program, is offering funding to help property owners use FireSmart principles and initiatives to reduce the risk of wildfire damage to their homes and community. This program may be subject to change.

Guidelines

This year, a free home assessment from a West Kelowna Fire Rescue FireSmart professional will be required to be eligible for the local grant program. This assessment outlines eligible projects specific to your home. Click here for eligible activities.
As of July 5, 2023, residents, community associations, and strata properties within the City of West Kelowna and Westbank First Nation are eligible to apply for the local grant program until Oct. 31, 2023. FireSmart work must be first identified in the free home assessment and completed within the campaign period.
Grants are limited to 50 percent of the total cost of your project up to $500. This year, projects that go to exceptional lengths to "FireSmart" their property could be eligible for a maximum of $1000 at the discretion of WKFR FireSmart Professionals.
Work in the immediate and intermediate zones are prioritized and work in the extended zone will be considered last.
Grants will only be considered once complete and submitted - only a limited number of grants are available.
Refer to the FireSmart Begins at Home and FireSmart Landscaping manuals for guidance when completing your project.

Application Requirements & Process

Book a FireSmart home assessment with one of our FireSmart Professionals by sending an email to firesmart@westkelownacity.ca. The Assessment should take 30-60 minutes and will focus on steps you can take to make your home more resilient to wildfires. At the end of this assessment, you will receive a list of eligible activities for your home.
Carry out one of the eligible activities identified, either on your own or by hiring someone to complete the recommended work. Ensure to capture before and after photos for the application package.
Complete the FireSmart Grant Application Package. Attach the before and after photos and any receipts from the project to your submission. Refer to the Sample Application Package to assist you in completing your application.
Email the completed package back to firesmart@westkelownacity.ca.

Neighbourhood Recognition Program

Obtain FireSmart recognition status by meeting the following criteria:

Enlist a local FireSmart Representative to complete an assessment and create a plan that identifies locally agreed-upon solutions that the neighbourhood can implement.
Sponsor a local Neighbourhood FireSmart Committee, which maintains the FireSmart Neighbourhood Plan and tracks its progress or status.
Conduct FireSmart events each year that are dedicated to a local FireSmart project.
Invest a minimum of $2 per capita annually in local FireSmart Neighbourhood efforts.
Submit an annual report to FireSmart Canada that documents continuing compliance with the program.
Find information on FireSmart Neighborhood recognition at firesmartbc.ca.

Home Partners Program

In 2023, West Kelowna will offer the Home Partners Program to individual homeowners in neighborhoods that have been recognized as "FireSmart" under the Neighborhood Recognition Program.

Through this program, homeowners get a professional home assessment with specific recommendations highlighting their properties' unique risks and ways to mitigate them. If your neighborhood is recognized through the Neighborhood Recognition Program and you are interested, contact firesmart@westkelownacity.ca.

Learn more about the program at: firesmartbc.ca/homepartners.

Events

FireSmart Family Day – May 27, 2023

Thank you to everyone who attended FireSmart Family Day this year. Stay tuned for updates on FireSmart Family Day 2024.

Resources

Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan (CWRP)

Stay tuned!

The City of West Kelowna will update its current Community Wildfire Protection Plan, which was adopted in 2018, into a new Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan.

A Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan (CWRP) increases our community’s understanding of its wildfire risks, outlines its mitigation efforts to date, and recommends additional preparation actions and resources that will be required to help prevent future incidents and to respond and recover effectively should any occur.

Read the 2018 Community Wildfire Protection Plan.

Guides and manuals

FireSmart BC offers helpful resources to improve your home and your property’s chances of surviving a wildfire.

Click here for resources including:

Videos

Visit firesmartbc.ca/videos to learn more about:

Tricia Thorpe’s Lytton story about how she lost her home to the infamous 2021 wildfire and the steps she and her family have taken to recover and become FireSmart.
Kerry Anderson FireSmart testimonial about how he became a neighbourhood champion, putting FireSmart principles to good use to protect his Okanagan community.
IBHS Research Center ember storm test highlights demonstrating why taking FireSmart actions to replace combustible landscaping, siding, and roofing materials will improve the survivability of your home during wildfire.

Connect with us

If you have any questions about the programs or events in 2023, please contact firesmart@westkelownacity.ca.