Vernon will have another opportunity to strengthen its wildfire resilience through the 2027 intake of the FireSmart Community Funding and Supports program.
The B.C. government said the program will provide $15 million to support wildfire-risk-reduction projects by local governments and First Nations. Applications open Oct. 1.
The program is delivered by the First Nations’ Emergency Services Society and the Union of B.C. Municipalities, in partnership with the Ministry of Forests.
Ravi Parmar, Minister of Forests, said the province went through another challenging wildfire season.
“This wildfire season reinforced what we know to be true: FireSmart works,” he said. “We’re beginning the work now to help communities prepare for the 2027 wildfire season by engaging in active forest management, by building community resilience and by reducing the threat of wildfire.”
Francyne Joe, executive director, First Nations’ Emergency Services Society, said that First Nations communities are disproportionately impacted by wildfires.
“FireSmart funding gives communities the tools to build their own capacity and take action before a fire starts, in ways that fit their needs and priorities,” she said.
“The strong response we’ve seen to this intake shows how committed First Nations are to building real wildfire resilience.”
The province said the 2027 funding can support FireSmart education and training, home and critical-infrastructure assessments, rebates and mitigation projects, community wildfire-resiliency planning and positions supporting FireSmart initiatives.
In 2026, the province approved $9.3 million for 47 municipalities, including Vernon.
