FireSmart BC Funding
Here are the current rebates, funding, and loan options to help make homes and communities more FireSmart.
Community funding
Timeframe: Open now; after October 1, applications will apply to the next year
Available funding: $200,000/year, up to two years, for eligible First Nations communities, $200,000/year, for up to two years, for eligible regional districts, with an additional $50,000 per electoral area
Details: First Nations and local governments with a higher risk of wildfire, generally demonstrated by Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Risk Class 1 to 3, that have a FireSmart Position, participate in a Community FireSmart and Resiliency Committee and have an acceptable Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan (CWRP) or Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) are eligible to receive FireSmart Community Funding and Supports funding for FireSmart activities only through the allocation-based program. Under the allocation-based model, recipients are required to submit an Allocation Funding Request Worksheet (and any required attachments) in order to confirm that the eligibility criteria have been met. If approved, recipients will receive an approval agreement which includes the terms and conditions of the grant.
Timeframe: Open now; after October 1, applications will apply to the next year
Available funding: $150,000/year, up to two years, for lower-risk applicants, $200,000/year, up to two years, for higher-risk applicants
Details: The FireSmart Community Funding and Supports program provides funding to First Nations and local governments in BC to increase community resiliency by undertaking community-based FireSmartTM planning and activities that reduce the community’s risk from wildfire. To date, 265 eligible applicants have received funding, including 117 First Nations and 148 local governments. The First Nations’ Emergency Services Society (FNESS), the Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC) and the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) are working with the Ministry of Forests (Ministry) to deliver the FireSmart Community Funding and Supports program.
Timeframe: Open on November 1, 2025.
Available funding: Up to $5,000
Details: The Community Conservation Fund is a BC Conservation Foundation program that supports community-based conservation initiatives around the province. Program objectives aim to provide community-based approaches, collaboration, applied knowledge and/or education to positively impact fish and wildlife populations at the local level.
Timeframe: Open Now. Applications close October 29, 2025
Available funding: Typically $70,000 per project
Details: The Small Community Wildfire Readiness Support program helps small and First Nations communities in the Basin plan and prepare for wildfires through wildfire prevention planning/assessments, training and equipment. Eligible applicants include First Nation communities, legally incorporated society-run fire departments and brigades, and local governments representing small and remote communities (populations typically less than 2,500) in the Basin region.
Timeframe: Open now. Applications close November 4, 2025.
Available funding: Up to $200,00 per project
Details: The Columbia Basin Wildfire Resiliency Initiative is a regional program designed to strengthen wildfire resilience and reduce wildfire risk in communities across the Columbia Basin Trust region. A partnership between the Province of BC, BC Wildfire Service, the Ministry of Forests, and Columbia Basin Trust, this initiative supports locally driven projects that build community capacity through the seven FireSmart™ disciplines. By focusing on rural communities and First Nations at risk, the program empowers residents through training, innovation in fuel management, cultural and prescribed fire use, and community-led solutions, helping to create safer, more resilient landscapes.
Timeframe: Open in the winter each year.
Available funding: $500 per event
Details: Groups can apply for a $500 award to fund their Prep Day events held on the first Saturday in May. FireSmart™ Canada, in collaboration with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction (ICLR), and The Co-operators supports this annual event by offering the $500 award.
Timeframe: Open July 28, 2025.
Available funding: Up to $1,500
Details: The goal of the Community Engagement Grant is to provide an opportunity for FWCP stakeholders (e.g. environmental
groups, rod and gun clubs, non-profits, stewardship organizations, government), and First Nations, to apply for a small grant to support their conservation and enhancement work that aligns with our Action Plans. Your group can apply for an FWCP Community Engagement Grant at any time during the year, while funds are available.
Timeframe: Open in late summer for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 programs.
Available funding: $30 million funding pool to be allocated over 2025-27
Details: The Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC) is accepting applications to fund projects to assist the Province of British Columbia in reducing wildfire risk and increasing community resiliency to wildfire across BC. FESBC is committed to ensure wildfire risk reduction projects approved by FESBC's management are aligned with both the Ministry of Forests and the BC Wildfire Services Branch priorities and standards.
Timeframe: Open in 2025.
Available funding: Up to $140,000
Details: We fund projects that enhance long-term climate resilience in communities equitably and inclusively, at any stage of their climate journey—whether they are starting out or need help advancing their plans. This funding is intended to support communities adapt for the impacts of climate change, by developing climate risk assessments and climate adaptation plans, which are critical for safeguarding infrastructure, protecting essential services, and ensuring the well-being of all residents.
Timeframe: Open now. Windows to apply are July 8-August 19 2025 and August 20-October 9, 2025.
Available funding: Up to $1 million
Details: This funding is intended for communities who are already aware of their climate risks and know which projects will help them make the greatest strides in improving their climate resilience. Projects can involve measures such as improving infrastructure to withstand extreme weather, installing new measures to reduce impacts on the community, modifying the landscape to reduce wildfire risks, or bolstering municipal services to better support vulnerable community members. They are intended to be smaller in nature, with maximum eligible expenses of $1 million and, upon completion, must have implemented on-the-ground solutions to respond to climate risk.
Timeframe: Opens in January 2026.
Available funding: Up to $50,000
Details: Action Grants support projects that directly involve people and communities to change behaviours and/or practices leading to positive and measurable conservation outcomes in British Columbia. Projects should work to create solutions or sustainable practices, or mitigate human-caused impacts to prevent or reduce impacts to species or ecosystems.
Timeframe: Opens in January 2026.
Available funding: $2,500 on average
Details: Community Grants (formerly PCAF) provide funding to organizations and individuals who need financial help to implement a conservation project. Since 1974, the Province of BC and the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation provide approximately $150,000 each year to help implement on-the-ground conservation work, with a particular focus on hands-on, community-based, and public awareness initiatives.
Timeframe: Opens in September and closes by February; check the Intact Foundation's site for exact dates.
Available funding: Up to $200,000
Details: Municipalities are at the frontlines of protecting people from the impacts of flood and wildfire. We fund initiatives that implement proven adaptation solutions, including those identified by the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation at the University of Waterloo. Projects that protect the community at large or protect homeowners are our priority.
Projects should target communities that are most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, have concrete indicators of success and have the potential to be scaled across the community.
Timeframe: Opens in fall 2025.
Available funding: $150,000 total (divided among applicants)
Details: As part of our Wawanesa Climate Champions commitment to help communities become more climate resilient, we partnered with FireSmart™ Canada and the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction (ICLR) to offer our Community Wildfire Prevention Grants.
Emergency Management
Timeframe: Opens in late 2025.
Available funding: Up to $40,000 per project
Details: The intent of this funding stream is to support the purchase of equipment and supplies required to maintain or improve Emergency Operations Centres (EOC) and to enhance EOC capacity through training and exercises.
Timeframe: Opens in late 2025.
Available funding: Up to $40,000 per project
Details: The intent of this funding stream is to support eligible applicants to develop Evacuation Route Plans and/or Public Notification Plans that provide information for First Nations, local governments, and community members in the event of an emergency. Starting in 2023, this funding stream has been expanded to include public notification and evacuation route planning.
Timeframe: Open now. Application deadline is September 5, 2025.
Available funding: Up to $20,000
Details: The Regional Community to Community (C2C) program continues to fund C2C forums and events. In addition, the program supports the advancement of First Nation/local government reconciliation and relationship building through the development of agreements (such as protocols, MOUs, and service agreements), joint plans and/or strategies and the joint review of bylaws and/or policies in order to develop recommendations for amendments or new bylaws and/or policies.
Home
Timeframe: Open now; must apply before purchasing anything.
Available funding: $17/square foot of high efficiency windows, approximately $500 per rough opening
Details: The Multi-Unit Residential Building Retrofit Program is a joint venture by BC Hydro and the Government of B.C.’s Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation (EMLI) to provide market-rental, strata, and equity co-op buildings, within B.C. the opportunity to explore energy-efficient heating and cooling solutions that are more cost effective and environmentally conscious.
Timeframe: Open now; application must be submitted within 6 months of the invoice date.
Available funding: Up to $2,000
Details: Upgrading the windows and exterior doors in your home will help you prevent drafts and save energy. Energy-efficient windows and doors are built to insulate better, equipped with a range of features that help prevent heat loss in the winter, and heat gain in the summer.
Timeframe: Open now.
Available funding: Up to $40,000 interest-free loan
Details: The Canada Greener Homes Loan offers interest-free financing to help Canadians make their homes more energy efficient and comfortable. FireSmart activities covered by this program include improving a home's airtightness and replacing doors and windows.
Timeframe: Open now; application must be submitted within 6 months of the invoice date.
Available funding: Up to $2,000
Details: As part of the CleanBC Better Homes and Home Renovation Rebate Program you can receive up to $100 per window or door (up to 20 windows) for replacing your current exterior windows or doors with program qualified products.
Timeframe: Open now; application must be submitted within 6 months of the invoice date.
Available funding: Up to $9,500 depending on household income
Details: Window and door upgrades can help maintain even temperatures throughout your home, reduce unwanted outdoor noise, and reduce heat loss during the cold winter months. As part of the CleanBC Better Homes Energy Savings Program, you can receive a rebate of up to $9,500 with a maximum of $950 per window or door when replacing your current windows or exterior doors with program qualified products.
Timeframe: Open now; application must be submitted within 6 months of the invoice date.
Available funding: Up to $2,000
Details: Upgrading your doors and windows can help reduce heat loss from your home and save on your energy bills.
Indigenous Community
Timeframe: Open now.
Available funding: Maximum $250,000 per project.
Details: The program works with First Nations to identify context-specific priorities for climate change adaptation projects. Priority areas identified through discussions with First Nations include sea level rise, flooding, wildfires, drought , winter road failures, risks to archeological and cultural sites, forestry and fishery management, water source vulnerabilities and other emerging priorities.
Timeframe: Open in September 2025.
Available funding: Funding TBD
Details: FNESS works with First Nations communities to help co-develop their application. FNESS administers the program and sends out project funds. Staff support Nations with the entire project life cycle.