Rocky View County residents living in forested areas are encouraged to collaborate with neighbours and apply for a grant to host a property cleanup event to reduce fire hazards.
This initiative, known as FireSmart, is a crucial program for Rocky View County, which encompasses several high fire risk zones, including Bragg Creek, Elbow Valley, Springbank, Bearspaw, and Bottrel.
Communities are invited to organize a FireSmart Preparedness Day anytime between May 3, 2025, and October 31. In 2025, Wildfire Community Preparedness Day will be observed on Saturday, May 3.
This national campaign encourages citizens to act to enhance their homes, neighbourhoods, and communities' resilience to wildfire. Grant funding applications will open on Friday, and the deadline is January 31, 2025.
Groups can apply for a $500 grant to support their FireSmart Preparedness Day events, including community gatherings, barbecues, breakfasts, or other activities scheduled before, during, or after neighbourhood cleanup efforts.
FireSmart Canada, in partnership with the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction (ICLR), Co-operators, and provincial and territorial wildfire agencies, supports these annual events by offering the $500 award.
In 2024, FireSmart Canada recognized a record number of recipients, awarding grants to 378 neighbourhoods across 10 provinces and two territories. This marked a significant increase from 230 neighbourhoods in 2023 and 162 in 2022.
Wildfire Community Preparedness Day, which began in the United States and was developed by the National Fire Protection Association, encourages residents of all ages to come together from May to October to host events and work on projects that raise awareness of wildfire risks and improve resilience.
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