FireSmart Rebates
RECEIVE UP TO $5,000 IN REBATES AND SAVE ON YOUR HOME INSURANCE !!!
Merritt FireSmart is offering a local rebate program to residential property or homeowners within municipal boundaries that complete eligible FireSmart activities on their properties. For strata properties, rebates are available for the common property.
Rebates are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Rebates pay for 50% of the project cost. Projects can include replacing siding, roofing or gutters with FireSmart materials, relocating outbuildings, replacing combustible vegetation, and even the manpower to clean up around your home and yard. See list below of eligible activities.
Apply for the grant and request your FREE Wildfire Mitigation Assessment to start the process. All projects must be completed by September 30, 2025.
FireSmart Rebate | Program Guidelines
Under the FireSmart Community Funding & Supports program, approved program administrators like the City of Merritt can use grant funding to offer local rebate programs to residential property or homeowners that complete eligible FireSmart activities on their properties in the FireSmart Home Ignition Zone which includes the home and surrounding yard area.
This grant is available to all homeowners within municipal boundaries.
Qualification Requirements
- Residential property owners must complete and submit a FireSmart Grant Application.
- The residential property or homeowner must have a Wildfire Mitigation Assessment of their property conducted by a qualified Local FireSmart Representative (LFR) or Wildfire Mitigation Specialist (WMS).
- During the assessment, the LFR/WMS with complete a Wildfire Mitigation Assessment Work Form that will outline mitigation recommendations to the residential property or homeowner.
- The Wildfire Mitigation Assessment will be accompanied by a completed FireSmart Work Hours Estimate Form, outlining the projects and eligible rebateable costs.
- Residential property or homeowners can complete the recommended mitigation activities themselves or hire others to complete the work.
- Only activities that are recommended in the completed Assessment and work hours estimate form identified in Table 10, are eligible for the rebate.
- Rebates are limited to a maximum of 50% of the total cost of the eligible activities identified in the table and no more than $5000 per property.
- A before and after photo of each project area from same position must be submitted by the LFR/WMS.
- Work must be completed within 60 days of the assessment; extensions may be granted by the LFR/WMS.
- Receipts of incurred expenses must be submitted (if applicable).
Eligible Activities for FireSmart Rebate Programs and Eligible Residential Mitigation Work
| Home or Structure | ||
| 1 | Roof Materials Gutters Vents and Openings |
· Install UL/ASTM fire-rated roofing (metal, clay, asphalt shingles) · Install non-combustible gutters and/or gutter covers · Remove roof surface tree needles, debris or overhanging branches · Install closed eaves and/or non-combustible fire-rated vents or vents with 3mm screening, excluding dryer vents. |
| 2 | Building Exterior or Siding |
· Install ignition resistant (fiber cement board or log) or non- combustible (stucco, metal, brick/stone) exterior siding material · Repair gaps, cracks or holes where embers could lodge or penetrate · Provide 15cm non-combustible vertical ground-to-siding clearance |
| 3 | Windows and Doors |
· Install tempered glass in all doors and windows · Replace single pane window glass with multi pane / thermal window glass · Repair gaps in doors / garage doors where embers could accumulate or penetrate |
| 4 | Balcony, deck, porch |
· Install non-combustible or fire-rated, solid (no gaps or cracks) deck surface and support construction · Close open deck structures or remove all combustibles below deck |
| FireSmart Immediate Zone (0 to 1.5 meters from Home) | ||
| 5 | 1.5 meters from furthest extent of home |
· Replace combustible surfaces with non-combustible surfaces · Remove combustible debris, materials, fences or plants |
| FireSmart Intermediate Zone (1.5 to 10 meters from Home) | ||
| 6 | Adjacent Combustibles |
· Move woodpiles, building materials and all other combustibles into the Extended Zone or enclose in an approved outbuilding that meets FireSmart guidelines |
| 7 | Outbuildings not meeting FireSmart guidelines |
· Upgrade outbuildings to meet FireSmart guidelines or relocate outbuildings more than 10 meters from home · Ensure any structures retained in this area are treated to the same standards as decks, and hardened against ember transfer · Examples of outbuildings include external heat sources, smoke houses, outdoor kitchens, etc. |
| 8 | Trees |
· Remove coniferous trees from this zone or mitigate mature conifers (limb to 2 meters or ⅓ of canopy, whichever is less and ensure 3 meter crown spacing where ecologically appropriate). · Promote deciduous trees that are resistant to wildfires |
| 9 | Surface vegetation and combustible materials |
· Cut and maintain grass to less than 10cm or shorter · Plant low-growing, well-spaced, fire-resistant plants and shrubs, avoid having any woody debris, including mulch · Ensure surface debris is kept to a minimum. Remove dead branches, excessive build-up of pine needles, and heavy accumulation of grass |
| FireSmart Extended Zone (10 to 30 meters from Home) | ||
| 10 | Trees |
· Thin coniferous trees or replace with deciduous tree species · Remove conifer tree branches within 2 meters of the ground or ⅓ of canopy, whichever is less and ensure 3 meter crown spacing where ecologically appropriate) |
| 11 | Surface Vegetation |
· Reduce surface vegetation – long grass and flammable shrubs · Reduce accumulations of branches, logs and debris |
FireSmart Rebate: Application Requirements & Process
Step 1 — Complete the FireSmart Rebate form, submit to City Hall or FireSmart@merritt.ca.
Step 2 — Wait to be contacted by a City of Merritt Local FireSmart Representative (LFR) or Wildfire Mitigation Specialist (WMS) for approval and to schedule a Wildfire Mitigation Assessment. Both the assessment and the work hours estimate must be completed by the LFR/WMS before starting any proposed projects.
Step 3 — Complete the FireSmart treatment as recommended through your assessment. FireSmart work must be completed within 60 days of the initial assessment. Extensions may be granted by an LFR or WMS. Refer to the FireSmart Begins at Home and FireSmart Guide to Landscaping for more information.
Step 4 — Book a follow up for assessment approval from your LFR/WMS.
Step 5 — Once all projects are approved as complete by the Local FireSmart Representative (LFR) or Wildfire Mitigation Specialist (WMS), the following documents will be processed:
- FireSmart Rebate 2025 Application Form
- Wildfire Mitigation Assessment report (completed by the WMS)
- Photos of Project Area (Before & After) (taken by the WMS)
- Completed FireSmart Work Hours Form (as established by the WMS)
- Receipts of incurred expenses if applicable
Step 6 — When your application has been processed, cheques will be mailed within 3 weeks.
Further questions or comments can be sent to FireSmart@merritt.ca or by calling the firehall at (250) 378-5626.
BCAA Home Insurance Discount:
BC’s Wildfire Mitigation Program
Property owners can get $100 off their BCAA Home Insurance policy if they complete a Home Assessment through the Wildfire Mitigation Program. Ask your FireSmart representative during the home assessment process.
Upon completion of all the recommended mitigation actions and receiving a Wildfire Mitigation Certificate property owners may be eligible for additional home insurance savings.
Further questions or comments can be sent to FireSmart@merritt.ca or by calling the FireSmart team at (250) 378-5626.
LEARN MORE AT BCAA
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Merritt Fire Rescue | 250.378.5626
Steve Rempel, FireSmart Coordinator | firesmart@merritt.ca
#FireSmart #rebate #wildfire
Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan (CWRP-2024)
FireSmart Tips
In a wildfire, embers can travel up to two kilometres by wind or energy of a fire. A wildfire can tear through a community, often bouncing through treetops, particularly conifers like cedar hedges.
Every FireSmart step we take can have a positive impact. At minimum, clear debris from around your home, move combustible materials at least 1.5 metres (5 ft) from your home (this includes cedar hedges and patio furniture), and consider installing fire-retardant materials and barriers.
These FireSmart tips can help you reduce your risk:
- Clear Debris:
(a) Remove leaves and branches from roofs and gutters, under decks, and around the base of your home.
(b) Trim overgrown trees away from your home. Trim lower branches at least 2 metres from the ground. Space trees and shrubs at least 3 metres apart. Trim trees around access routes to your home to allow access for emergency vehicles. Also contact your utility company to clear branches and other vegetation from overhead electrical installations. - Install Spark Barriers:
(a) Add a spark arrestor to the top of your chimney.
(b) Screen vents with 3 mm non-combustible mesh.
(c) Ensure eaves have properly fitted soffits and fascia. - Remove Combustible Materials next to your home: Move or replace wooden fences, decking, structures, wood piles, or other materials at least 1.5 metres from the home or outbuildings. This includes patio furniture and anything that will burn.
- Replace Combustible Plantings: Opt for fire-resistant plants like leafy, deciduous trees, perennial flowers, and waxy, broadleaf shrubs. Remove evergreen conifers with resin-like sap, including cedars, cypress, and junipers. View FireSmart BC’s Landscaping Hub.
- Trim Grass: Avoid tall ornamental grasses in your garden. Also, keep your lawn shorter than 10 centimetres. Consider xeriscaping your yard to limit the need for irrigation.
- Be aware of Mulch: Avoid using bark mulch near your home. Opt for rocks or gravel.
- Relocate Firepits: Keep firepits 3 meters away from flammable structures and overhanging tree branches. Note that Fire Permits are required in the City of Merritt. Also they are not valid during a Fire Ban, which regularly occurs from July to October.
- Renovate your home with fire-retardant materials:
(a) Roofs: Class A-, B- or C-rated roofing include metal, asphalt, clay and composite rubber tiles. Untreated wood shakes are dangerous.
(b) Siding: Stucco, metal siding, brick/concrete, and fibre cement siding offer superior fire resistance. Wood and vinyl siding offer little protection.
(c) Windows: Tempered, thermal, double-paned windows are recommended.
(d) Doors and garage doors: Ensure they are fire-rated and have a good seal. - Get Fire Tools ready:
(a) Every home should have readily accessible shovels, rakes, axes, garden hoses, sprinklers, and ladders to assist in suppressing wildfires.
(b) Get a Wildfire Home Sprinkler Protection Kit.
FireSmart Chipping Program
BACKGROUND:
FireSmart Program
FireSmart Canada is a national program intended make homes, businesses, and communities more resilient to wildfire. BC has its own specific FireSmart program, FireSmartBC. The FireSmart program features offers wide variety of training and resources, including online courses, workshops, training videos, and guides, that are applicable to home and business owners in Merritt.
Merritt property owners should consider taking a looking at the FireSmartBC Home Guide, which overviews strategies to reduce your home’s vulnerability to wildfire. After following the Home Guide’s suggestions, property owners are invited to contact firesmart@merritt.ca to book a free FireSmart property assessment.
Gardening enthusiasts in Merritt should take a look at FireSmart BC’s Landscaping Hub, which outlines landscaping techniques and fire-resistant plant species that can be used to both beautify your property and increase its resistance to wildfire.
Merritt citizens may also consider taking the online FireSmart 101 course offered by FireSmart Canada. The course takes approximately one hour to complete, is offered at no cost, and introduces the FireSmart program and overviews basic wildfire mitigation strategies.