Removal of cedars at a property in Kamloops. (Image Credit: Kamloops Fire Rescue)

By Victor Kaisar

Cedar Rebate

Kamloops to resume FireSmart assessments soon; potential expansion to rebate program being looked at

May 26, 2025 | 4:47 PM

KAMLOOPS — The City of Kamloops expects to resume FireSmart assessments once its cleared a backlog of existing requests made following the launch of a new rebate program that had to be paused almost as quickly as it began.

There were 200 requests made in a two-and-a-half-day span, according to FireSmart Coordinator Kathleen Cahoon, who said the city has already committed $67,850 of the $80,000 total budget for this year.

“We do foresee us using the entire program’s budget for this year, which is awesome,” Cahoon said, noting there is about $12,150 still left to be distributed. “People have actually completed the work already, so I’m working through the cheque requisition process.”

The first-come, first-served rebate program, which launched on April 22, offered residents between $150 and $800 if they removed cedars and junipers from their properties. It was put on hold two days later because of “an overwhelming response” from residents.

Cahoon told CFJC Today that crews had 99 requests from people seeking funding to remove cedars and junipers from their properties. She said 55 of those people had already completed the work as of Friday (May 23) afternoon.

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“I believe we have also completed over 50 per cent of the 200 assessments already, and that is a huge thanks to the Kamloops Fire Rescue prevention team,” Cahoon said. “We want homeowners to continue to do those FireSmart assessments whether there is an incentive or not.”

“We will be opening that up again. We just want to get through all of the backlog right now. You can be proactive by getting the assessment done once it reopens and then you’re eligible for the next program year.”

Rebate program to expand?

The City of Kamloops is also looking at potentially making changes to the rebate program following the increase in requests for FireSmart assessments.

Speaking during Thursday’s (May 22) Safety and Security Select Committee meeting, Councillor Bill Sarai wondered whether money earmarked for the grant in future years could be handed out this year, given the interest from residents.

“Not asking for any extra money, just accelerating it so we keep that momentum going and get as many properties as we can as maybe next year or 2027, it’ll taper off,” Sarai said. “But while we have the iron in the fire and people are interested in it, it’s a topic in our community, can we make some more of these properties fire safe?”

Councillor Stephen Karpuk also wondered whether more money could be added to the rebate program, saying the interest is something that the city should be capitalizing on.

“Maybe we should be directing our staff through a council directive to look at changing the valuation [as] $80,000 may not be enough,” Karpuk said. “If we can move the needle faster then perhaps its something we should be entertaining.”

“If funding for that program is so well subscribed, perhaps we need to look at how we fund it from our [Climate Action Fund Reserve],” he added.

Protective Services Director Ken Uzeloc said he would be “more that happy” if the city added more money towards the rebate program, saying it will be used to implement the will of council.

“Echoing what Director Uzeloc said, I think there is also the opportunity to explore other funding avenues as well to increase the funds or have another incentive program so there are always those options,” Cahoon added.

Staff expect to bring back more information, possibly by the July 24 Safety and Security Select Committee meeting. Uzeloc also said its possible that the findings are presented directly at a Committee of the Whole or regular council meeting instead.

“We will speak with Corporate Services Director [David] Hallinan and with [Climate and Sustainability Manager] Glen Cheetham as that is under his direction and control and he was a partner in this program,” Uzeloc said. “We will have that discussion and we will come back to you with recommendations.”

Katie Neustaeter, the chair of the Safety and Security Select Committee, cautioned against “robbing Peter to pay Paul” to accelerate FireSmart efforts this year.

“I assume this money was paced out over a certain amount of time, probably according to staff capability and capacity,” she said. “If it means hiring another role or if we need to put more vehicles on the road, that is obviously an additional cost so we’ll leave that with staff to take a look at comeback and tell us whether that’s a viable option.”