Fisheries, Forestry and Agrifoods
February 07, 2017

Making Communities Safer

FireSmart Grants Available to Help Reduce the Risk of Wildfire Damage

The FireSmart Canada Community Recognition Program is once again providing grants to communities for local mitigation projects to help reduce the risk of wildfire damage to homes and neighbourhoods. The Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agrifoods is a proud supporter of communities becoming more FireSmart.

“Our forest fire suppression staff encounter fires, particularly in the spring, that place neighbourhoods, communities, the public and firefighters at risk. There are many proven techniques which can be followed to minimize the risk of wildfire damage. I encourage all our communities to submit proposals for this program so that our homes and neighbourhoods can be safer places to live during forest fire season.”
- The Honourable Steve Crocker, Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agrifoods

To learn more about Wildfire Community Preparedness Day and for tips on how to minimize the risk of wildfire damage, please visit www.firesmartcanada.ca. External Link

Communities that are working on a FireSmart project can apply for a chance to win $500 to help support their initiative. The deadline to apply is March 21, 2017.

All projects are in support of National Wildfire Community Preparedness Day which is May 6, 2017. Between May 6 and September 30, 2017, communities across the country are encouraged to take action to help reduce the risk of wildfire damage.

Newfoundland and Labrador has been a part of the FireSmart Canada Community Recognition Program since 2013.

QUICK FACTS

  • The Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agrifoods is encouraging communities to participate in the FireSmart Canada Community Recognition Program which aims to protect property from wildfires.
  • The initiative raises attention of National Wildfire Community Preparedness Day which is supported by the National Fire Protection Association, the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction, The Co-operators and FireSmart Canada.
  • Communities that are working on a FireSmart project can apply for a chance to win $500 to help support their initiative. The deadline to apply is March 21, 2017.
  • National Wildfire Community Preparedness Day will be held on May 6.
  • Techniques to minimize the risk of fire damage to properties can be found at www.firesmartcanada.ca. External Link

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Media contact:

Media contact:
Connie Boland
Media Relations Manager
Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agrifoods
709-637-2923, 640-6409
Connieboland@gov.nl.ca

2017 02 07                              10:00 a.m.