The Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) has expanded its FireSmart rebate program, and is now offering seniors an opportunity to cover a portion of the costs for doing fire mitigation work around their home.
The new Senior FireSmart rebate program is open to homeowners in the TNRD’s 10 electoral areas who are aged 65 and older. Rebates will cover 50 per cent of the costs (up to a maximum rebate of $750) for fire mitigation work on the property within 30 metres of the home. This covers work done in the Immediate Zone (zero to 1.5 metres from the home), the Intermediate Zone (1.5 to 10 metres from the home), and the Extended Zone (10 to 30 metres from the home).
The TNRD also offers the Homeowner FireSmart rebate program, which covers 50 per cent of the costs (up to a maximum rebate of $500) for fire mitigation work done on a property within 1.5 metres of the home (Immediate Zone).
The steps are the same to apply for either rebate program:
1. Request a free FireSmart home assessment.
2. After the home assessment is completed and a report has been provided, review the recommendations for mitigation work.
3. Act on mitigation work that has been recommended. A FireSmart Assessment work hours estimate form will be provided, and residents will be asked to record personal hours (if applicable) and/or any money spent on contractors or materials (invoices or receipts will be required). A follow-up inspection will be completed by TNRD FireSmart staff.
4. Submit your rebate application form to firesmart@tnrd.ca.
Both of the TNRD FireSmart rebate programs are open until Oct. 31, 2025, and funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis. If your property is located in a municipality, First Nation, or neighbouring regional district, please refer to your local government’s FireSmart program to see if a rebate program is available.
Homeowners can only apply for one of the rebates (not both), and homeowners who have previously received a FireSmart rebate from the TNRD are not eligible for further rebates at this time. Only registered property owners are eligible for the rebate, but renters can ask for a free FireSmart home assessment.
Only the necessary mitigation work as detailed in the FireSmart home assessment is eligible for the rebate, but residents are free to carry out the work themselves, since most FireSmart mitigation work is simple and easy to do. Just use the work hours estimate form to keep track of any work you complete yourself; FireSmart BC has pre-determined that $32 per hour is a fair hourly rate for FireSmart mitigation work.
To request a free FireSmart home assessment, use the TNRD’s intuitive interactive map at https://bit.ly/4lb8yky. Anyone who requires assistance can contact TNRD FireSmart staff at (250) 377-8673 or by emailing firesmart@tnrd.ca.
Throughout 2025, the TNRD is continuing to offer free home assessments, and so far nearly 200 requests have been received this year from rural residents. Staff also continue to host or attend community events, host free chipping days, and make education materials available for residents who are doing fire mitigation work at home.
For more information about FireSmart in the TNRD, go to tnrd.ca/firesmart. To learn more about the FireSmart BC program, and find out some easy ways for anyone to protect their property from fire, go to https://firesmartbc.ca/. Kids can learn more about FireSmart thanks to Ember the FireSmart Fox, who has some fun games and activities for kids at firesmartbc.ca/ember/.
