The Strathcona Regional District is offering FireSmart rebates of up to $3,000 to property owners in the Village of Sayward.
According to a release from the SRD, rebates must be applied to wildfire mitigation efforts within 30 metres of structures, as recommended in a FireSmart home assessment.
The district says as many as 90 per cent of structures damaged or destroyed by wildfires are ignited by embers. Windy conditions can carry embers and start new fires far from their origin.
“In 2023, embers from the West Kelowna wildfire blew 2.5 kilometres across Okanagan Lake and ignited multiple new fires on the east side. The lesson is clear: wind-driven embers can travel far and start fires in any community, including ours,” SRD chair Mark Baker said. “The FireSmart homeowner rebate—available for eligible work around your home—gives residents a practical way to take action now.”
Eligible mitigation activities include cleaning gutters, removing flammable vegetation, or upgrading to fire-resistant siding, windows and roofing materials.
“FireSmart rebates are available on a first-come, first-served basis while funding is available through the Community Resiliency Investment FireSmart Community and Funding Supports grant,” the release said. “The rebate is a 50 per cent cost share. For example, to receive $500, you need to complete $1,000 worth of work; to receive the maximum of $3,000, you need to complete $6,000 or more in mitigation efforts.”
The program will also expand to electoral areas A, C and D, as well as the Village of Zeballos, starting in 2026.
