Every year, wildfires are getting bigger and more frequent in BC. Stats have shown that 50% of homes burnt during a wildfire are started by embers, which can travel up to 2 km on average. Embers have been known to travel up to 6 km in the right conditions.
By taking steps to reduce the risk of wildfire affecting their properties, homeowners play an important role in wildfire prevention.
FireSmart BC Wildfire Mitigation Program
The FireSmart BC Wildfire Mitigation Program (WMP) was designed to engage residents in voluntary wildfire mitigation activities by offering a professional home assessment with property-specific recommendations.
Request a Free Home/Property Assessment
Property owners and residents in the District of Hope are eligible for a free FireSmart assessment.
The FireSmart BC Wildfire Mitigation Program was designed to engage residents in voluntary wildfire mitigation activities by offering a professional home assessment with property-specific recommendations.
A FireSmart Property Assessment provides residents with:
- An in-depth, on-site assessment conducted by experienced fire professionals.
- An opportunity for property owners to identify mitigation actions unique to their property.
- A detailed follow-up report with customized mitigation actions designed to measurably reduce the wildfire risk to your property.
- An opportunity to earn FireSmart acknowledgement for your mitigation achievements through a certificate. The certificate is given upon successful completion of required mitigation actions and an on-site follow-up inspection.
- A mitigation certification that can be shared with participating insurance providers to showcase mitigation activities and may be eligible for insurance incentives or discounts. Please note: FireSmart does not share the assessment or any details of the assessment with the insurance industry.
- FireSmart Home signage for their property (upon successful completion of required mitigation actions and an on-site follow-up inspection).
Complete this form to request your free home assessment by one of our Wildfire Mitigation Specialists.
FireSmart Rebate Program
If you complete any of your FireSmart assessment recommendations, you are eligible for a rebate of 50% of your expenses incurred, up to $1000, (total rebate of $500).
FireSmart rebate program qualifications:
- Schedule a FireSmart home assessment with our Wildfire Mitigation Specialists who will answer your questions and provide you with a list of specific recommendations for your property.
- Complete one or more of the recommendations and take before and after photos to show your FireSmart activities.
- Complete a FireSmart rebate form provided during your property assessment. Include receipts for supplies, and a record of your hours along with before and after photos. Email the completed form to firesmart@hope.ca or submit the online form.
- Your labour is valued at $32 per hour for each eligible FireSmart activity you complete. A limited number of rebates are available and are limited to 50% of the total cost up to a maximum of $1000.
FireSmart Property Support Program
The District of Hope is pleased to offer the FireSmart Property Support Program, a free service designed to assist homeowners with practical, on-the-ground wildfire risk reduction. Through this program, trained FireSmart crew members are available to help residents complete small-scale, low-risk mitigation tasks that contribute to a safer property and community.
Participation is limited and based on eligibility, property conditions, and crew capacity.
Services Offered
Depending on your property's needs and the recommendations in your FireSmart Home Assessment, the FireSmart Crew may be able to assist with:
- Removal of Combustible Materials: Clearing dry leaves, needles, and other flammable debris from around the home and outbuildings using hand tools.
- Firewood Relocation: Moving stacked firewood to a safer distance away from the structure (ideally 10+ metres).
- Gutter Cleaning: Cleaning out accessible gutters to reduce buildup of flammable debris.
- Basic Pruning: Removing lower tree limbs and ladder fuels to reduce the risk of ground fires reaching the canopy.
- Light Vegetation Thinning: Managing dense plant growth within the 10–30 metre zone from structures.
Please note that work is limited to tasks deemed safe and appropriate for the crew and that align with the FireSmart BC guidelines. Chainsaw work, roof climbing, or large-scale landscaping are not included.
Who Can Apply?
This program is open to District of Hope residents, with priority given to residents who:
- Face barriers to performing this work independently (e.g., financial limitations, physical mobility issues, lack of equipment)
- Live in areas with elevated wildfire risk as identified by the District
- Have completed a FireSmart Home Assessment
Eligible properties must be accessible by road and safe for the FireSmart crew to operate on. Work is not performed inside buildings or on steep, hazardous terrain.
How to Apply
You can apply in one of the following ways:
📍 In Person:
Pick up or drop off a paper application at the District of Hope Office:
Address: 325 Wallace Street
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
🌐 Online:
Complete the online application here.
Applications will be accepted until all available spaces are filled. Early submission is encouraged.
Before You Apply
A FireSmart Home Assessment must be completed before requesting property work from the FireSmart crew. The assessment is free, takes between one and two hours, and provides a custom report highlighting steps you can take to reduce fire risk on your property.
FireSmart Hope Farm & Ranch Assessments
Protecting Farms, Ranches and Agricultural Operations from Wildfire
Wildfire preparedness for farms and ranches requires a different approach than residential properties. Barns, equipment sheds, hay storage, fencing, livestock areas, fuel storage and other agricultural infrastructure present unique challenges that require specialized planning.
FireSmart Hope is pleased to offer FREE FireSmart BC Farm & Ranch Assessments to agricultural producers within the District of Hope.
These assessments are conducted by trained FireSmart professionals and are designed specifically for working farms and ranches.
A Program Designed Specifically for Agriculture
The FireSmart BC Farm & Ranch Program is separate from the District of Hope's Wildfire Mitigation Program and residential Home Ignition Zone assessments.
While residential assessments focus on homes and surrounding vegetation, Farm & Ranch Assessments evaluate critical agricultural buildings and infrastructure and provide recommendations tailored to the realities of farming and ranching operations.
Assessments may include:
- Barns and livestock facilities
- Equipment and machinery storage areas
- Hay and feed storage
- Fuel storage locations
- Fencing and access routes
- Water sources and emergency planning
- Vegetation and combustible materials surrounding agricultural structures
Each assessment includes a customized report outlining practical recommendations to reduce wildfire risk and improve the survivability of important farm infrastructure.
No-Cost Professional Assessment
FireSmart Hope Farm & Ranch Assessments are provided at no cost to producers.
Following the assessment, participants receive a detailed report identifying:
- Areas of elevated wildfire risk;
- Recommended mitigation activities;
- Opportunities to improve emergency preparedness;
- Actions that can increase firefighter effectiveness during a wildfire event.
Research shows that properties incorporating FireSmart principles are significantly easier and safer for firefighters to defend during an emergency.
Funding Opportunities Available
Completing a FireSmart BC Farm & Ranch Assessment can also open the door to additional funding opportunities available through the Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC (IAF).
Current Extreme Weather Preparedness funding streams include support for:
FireSmart Farm Building Retrofits
Eligible projects may include:
- Installation of Class A fire-rated roofing materials;
- Replacement of combustible roofing systems;
- Improvements to vulnerable farm structures.
Critical Farm Structure Protection
Funding may be available to help protect essential agricultural infrastructure identified through the assessment process.
Vegetation and Combustible Material Reduction
Support may also be available for activities that address vegetation and combustible materials surrounding critical farm buildings.
Many of these programs require that recommended work be identified through a completed FireSmart Farm & Ranch Assessment.
Building Wildfire Resilience for Agriculture
Wildfire preparedness is not just about protecting buildings. It is about protecting livelihoods, livestock, food production and the long-term sustainability of agricultural operations.
FireSmart Hope is committed to helping local producers reduce risk and strengthen the resilience of Hope's agricultural community.
Book Your Free Assessment
If you operate a farm or ranch within the District of Hope and would like to schedule a free FireSmart BC Farm & Ranch Assessment, contact: firesmart@hope.ca
The Local FireSmart Collective Program
The Local FireSmart Collective Program (LFCP) is the next step in community wildfire resilience. Replacing the FireSmart Canada Neighbourhood Recognition Program (FCNRP) in British Columbia, the LFCP supports and recognizes groups of residents and community organizations who take meaningful, collective action to protect their shared spaces from wildfire.
From rural areas and suburbs to First Nations communities or farms and ranches, this program is built to meet the unique needs of residents and reward their efforts.
About the program
The LFCP introduces a four-tier system to track and celebrate progress. Each tier reflects increasing levels of community engagement and wildfire resilience, with financial incentives and recognition available along the way.
This flexible program is more inclusive than ever, welcoming not just homes and properties, but parks, campuses, and businesses alike.
How It Works
Step 1: A Local FireSmart Representative (LFR) and Collective Advocate (formerly Neighbourhood Champion) work together to create a profile.
Step 2: Complete a Local FireSmart Collective Assessment (previously known as the Wildfire Hazard Assessment).
Step 3: Work together on a Collective Action Plan (formerly known as a Neighbourhood Plan), the community’s personalized roadmap for reducing wildfire risk.
Step 4: Work toward the goals outlined in the action plan, track progress, and renew participation each year.
Be Part Of The Wave
Are you or someone you know ready to get your neighbourhood recognized as being FireSmart? Learn how to apply today.
Reach out to your FireSmart Coordinator at firesmart@hope.ca, or email FCNRP@FireSmartBC.ca for more details.
Get FireSmart at Home
FireSmart principles are designed to mitigate a home’s vulnerability to wildfire. Homes ignite due to the condition of the home and everything that surrounds it, up to 100 metres from the foundation – this is called the Home Ignition Zone.
Use this interactive guide to assess your property's vulnerabilities and ways you start mitigating today!
The Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan
The District of Hope, in collaboration with the public, community stakeholders, and neighboring First Nation partners, has completed its Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan (CWRP).
Supported by the Union of BC Municipalities and the provincial government, this plan identifies local wildfire risks and outlines actions to reduce those risks and enhance community safety.
Wildfire resiliency means understanding the realities of living in a forested area, taking proactive steps to protect lives and property, and being ready to respond when needed.
The CWRP will guide our FireSmart program efforts through to March 2030, helping us build a safer, more resilient community.
Learn more about the plan in this short video.
Click HERE to view or download the full plan document.
Resources
District of Hope FireSmart
604-869-5671
firesmart@hope.ca
