Deadline: 31-Dec-23
The Union of B.C. Municipalities (UBCM) has announced the applications for the FireSmart Community Funding & Supports Program to provide funding to local governments and First Nations in BC to increase community resiliency by undertaking community-based FireSmart planning and activities that reduce the community’s risk from wildfire.
The First Nations’ Emergency Services Society (FNESS), the Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC) and the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) are working with the Ministry of Forests (Ministry) to deliver the FireSmart Community Funding & Supports program.
Funding Information
- Eligible applicants with a lower risk of wildfire, generally demonstrated by WUI Risk Class 4 and 5, can apply for 100% of the cost of eligible activities to a maximum of $100,000 per application.
- Eligible applicants with a higher risk of wildfire, generally demonstrated by WUI Risk Class 1, 2 and 3, can apply for 100% of the cost of eligible activities to a maximum of $200,000 per application. Information on determining risk is provided in Appendix 2.
Eligible Projects
- To be eligible for funding, applications must demonstrate that proposed activities will increase community resiliency by undertaking community-based FireSmart planning and activities that reduce the community’s risk from wildfire.
- Applicants must choose to apply as a single applicant, as part of a Regional Projects for Multiple Eligible Applicants, or as a Regional Projects for Regional District Applications Including Multiple Electoral Areas. In all cases, it is expected that regional projects will demonstrate cost-efficiencies in the total grant request.
Eligible Activities
To qualify for funding, all eligible activities must:
- Be located within the applicant’s administrative boundary
- Include new activities or represent a new phase of an existing project (retroactive funding is not available unless specifically identified in this guide)
- New in 2023 – Be capable of completion by the applicant within two years of the date of grant approval. Applicants will be eligible to apply for future funding after two years from the date of the approval agreement or after the complete final report is submitted.
- Be supported by a current plan, acceptable to the BCWS Wildfire Prevention Officer/Prevention Specialist or the FNESS Mitigation Specialist/Liaison, that includes assessment and identification of FireSmart and fuel management priorities (limited to Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan or Community Wildfire Protection Plan). Note: Starting in 2024, applicants will be required to have a current and acceptable plan. Applicants that do not have a current and acceptable plan are strongly encouraged to develop a plan as part of the 2023 intake.
- Where applicable, be completed by a qualified professional that is accredited by their professional association
- Ensure compliance with applicable legislation and regulations: Federal (e.g. Fisheries Act, Species at Risk Act); Provincial (i.e. Forest and Range Practices Act, Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation, and Wildfire Act); and local authority (e.g. burning bylaws or other bylaws or plans)
- Where applicable, be eligible for required approvals from the Land Manager (e.g. Indigenous Services Canada, BC Parks Area Manager, Natural Resource District Manager) for authorizations and/or permits
Eligibility Criteria
- All local governments (municipalities and regional districts) and First Nations (bands, Treaty First Nations, and Indigenous National Governments with authority for lands and resources) in BC are eligible to apply.
- Eligible applicants can submit one application per intake, including regional applications or participation as a partnering applicant in a regional application.
For more information, visit UBCM.
For more information, visit https://www.ubcm.ca/cri/firesmart-community-funding-supports