The City of Kamloops has reopened applications for FireSmart home assessments, adding a new rebate program aimed at helping residents better protect their properties from wildfire risks.

The 2026 program expands on existing incentives by offering homeowners financial support for a wider range of fire-resistant upgrades. The initiative is backed by a $200,000, two-year Municipal Climate Resiliency Grant from Intact Financial Corporation.

FireSmart assessments, conducted free of charge, evaluate properties for vulnerabilities to wildfire. Officials say the program is critical in a region where sparks and embers can travel up to two kilometres ahead of an ակտիվ fire front, igniting materials around homes.

“FireSmart is about giving residents practical tools to reduce risk,” the City said in the release, noting that improvements at the household level can also strengthen resilience across the broader community.

New rebate for home upgrades

The newly introduced FireSmart Home Improvement Rebate will cover 50 per cent of eligible upgrade costs, up to $1,000 per household per year. Recommended improvements may include upgrades to vents, gutters, roofing, siding, fences, decks and other features that are particularly vulnerable during a wildfire.

The program complements the City’s existing Community Fuel Reduction Incentive, which focuses on removing hazardous vegetation such as cedar and juniper trees, shrubs and hedges within five metres of homes. That program offers between $150 and $800 annually, depending on the amount of material removed.

Who can apply

Homeowners with single-family houses or non-strata duplexes within Kamloops city limits are eligible to apply for an assessment. The evaluations are carried out by trained members of Kamloops Fire Rescue, who provide tailored, evidence-based recommendations and guidance on available rebates.

Limited funding available

The total budget for both rebate programs in 2026 is $180,000, with funding distributed on a first-come, first-served basis between March 18 and Nov. 15.

City officials are urging residents to apply early, noting that last year’s program reached capacity before the deadline.

More information and application forms are available through the City’s FireSmart rebate webpage.