(Image Credit: KFR)

By Victor Kaisar

FireSmart Rebates

Kamloops working on rebate program to incentivize FireSmart work

Feb 14, 2025 | 12:00 PM

KAMLOOPS — There may soon be some financial incentives offered to Kamloops homeowners who complete FireSmart initiatives on their properties.

The City of Kamloops is working on a pair of rebate programs – one of which will be funded by the City – in a bid to try and make it easier for people to do their part towards creating a more fire-resilient community.

“Financial restrictions is one of the biggest barriers for people so offering something for them to be able to do it and have that incentive is going to be really beneficial,” City of Kamloops FireSmart Liaison Kathleen Cahoon said.

Other barriers to completing FireSmart work, according to an Oct. 2024 survey of Kamloops residents, was the lack of time to do the work and the lack of knowledge around what needs to be done.

“Not everything has to be completed at once. That is something we want to talk to the homeowners about,” Cahoon said. “You can do one thing at a time and it can take a couple years or couple months, and that is okay as long as you’re taking that first steps to do so.”

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“[The survey] has provided me insight on my next steps forward which is to hold more community events to promote education as well to look at creating rebate programs to help owners on the financial side of things, which could also aid in the time by hiring external contractors to come help them do the work.”

Results of the Oct. 2024 FireSmart public survey. (Image Credit: City of Kamloops)

Details About Rebate Programs Revealed

Speaking during the Feb. 13 Safety and Security Select Committee meeting, Cahoon said the City-financed rebate program will be specifically aimed at the removal of cedars and junipers.

“I’m currently working with the project team on this,” Cahoon said. “We’re just ironing out some of the finer details of the program and we’re going to have it running with the first half of the year here. It’ll be a good time for end of spring into the summer months.”

In a report to council, Cahoon said homeowners will be able to get up to 50 per cent of eligible costs covered to a maximum of $800. She also said this program is expected to have a budget of $80,000, which will support up to 100 rebates each year on a first-come, first-served basis.

The second rebate program will be contingent on a $200,000 grant application from Intact Insurance. If the application is successful, Cahoon said homeowners will be able to get up to $1,000 which could also go towards some FireSmart-related home upgrades.

“This rebate will go towards people who complete FireSmart recommendations following a free home assessment by Kamloops Fire Rescue,” Cahoon said. “It will cover costs for mitigation measures, such as vegetation removal and to home upgrades like roofing and siding.”

Cahoon said the city expects to hear whether its grant application was successful by next month.

Details about the rebate program come as Cahoon said there has been an uptick in people seeking FireSmart assessments in Kamloops. Data released Thursday shows there were 200 assessments completed by Kamloops Fire Rescue in 2024.

“There is an expectation to increase the number of home assessments in 2025 to ensure broader community engagement,” Cahoon said in her report.

Wildfire Resiliency Plan Being Updated

The City is also working on updating its Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan, which when completed, will be submitted to the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) in the next couple weeks.

“The Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan provides a detailed assessment of wildfire risk areas, treatment units, and future mitigation strategies across Kamloops,” Cahoon said, noting the plan was last updated in 2016.

“It is designed to enhance the community’s capacity to understand and mitigate wildfires. This plan establishes achievable action items based on the overall wildfire mitigation goals.”

That updated plan will also enable the City to be eligible for Community Resiliency Investment (CRI) funding through the UBCM, providing a more consistent stream of funding.

“Funding wise, unfortunately at this point it is all grant related, and so that might be another opportunity for council to look at advocating with the province for continual funding sources that would be available to help with FireSmart work,” Fire Chief and Protective Services Director, Ken Uzeloc said.

Prescribed Burns This Spring

The City is also scheduled to move ahead with a trio of prescribed burns this spring – at Rose Hill Park (8 ha), Peterson Creek Nature Park (17 ha), and a publicly-owned area of the Lac Du Bois Grasslands (10 ha).

“The prescribed burns will reduce vegetation, improve firebreaks, and help restore ecological health in fire-prone zones,” Cahoon said.

She also told the committee that she continues to engage with community associations, strata councils, and residents who are interested in FireSmart initiatives.

“As part of this, [I am] working to bring FireSmart Canada’s Neighbourhood Recognition Program to Kamloops, as there has been increasing interest from various community groups,” Cahoon wrote in her report.

“This program encourages neighbourhoods to collaborate on FireSmart projects, enhancing the city’s collective wildfire resilience.”

Cahoon, who was hired as a full-time FireSmart coordinator in 2024, says the program is “making significant strides in Kamloops”.

“With continued outreach, strong partnerships, and proactive mitigation efforts, Kamloops is well-positioned to manage the growing threat of wildfires and protect its residents, infrastructure, and natural spaces,” Cahoon said.