Community Engagement: Neighbourhood Recognition Program

Collective action amplifies wildfire resilience. The FireSmart Neighbourhood Recognition Program encourages communities to:

Form Committees: Establish neighborhood groups dedicated to FireSmart initiatives.
Develop Plans: Assess risks and outline mitigation strategies with the help of a Neighborhood Recognition Program Specialist.
Host Events: Organize educational sessions, clean-ups, and other neighborhood activities that increase your neighborhoods resilience to wildfire and help build community.

Participation not only enhances safety but also fosters community spirit. Here at the Biosphere we are ready to support residents and neighborhoods take action.

If you are a resident of Canmore, visit the Town of Canmore’s website to learn more about engaging in this program and FireSmarting your neighborhood! Below are the steps to becoming a recognized FireSmart Neighborhood and the associated timelines. Although many of these steps can take place year round, following this timeline ensures your neighborhood is taking action and prepared before the next wildfire season.

Become a Neighbourhood Champion. Every neighbourhood needs someone who is looking to improve their neighbourhood’s resilience to wildfire.
The Neighbourhood Champion:
- Leads the neighbourhood’s FireSmart Committee
- Acts as a point of contact between the NRP Specialist and the committee.
- Creates a Neighbourhood Mitigation Plan with the help of the committee.
- With the help of the committee, hosts a FireSmart Canada education and/or clean up event
- Submits the majority of the required documentation to becoming a recognized FireSmart Neighbourhood.
The Biosphere can support you with these first steps and guide you through the process.
Complete your FireSmart 101 Training. It is a pre-requisite of being connected with a Neighbourhood Recognition Program Specialist.
Contact the Town of Canmore by filling out the Neighbourhood Recognition Program Interest Form and get connected with a Neighbourhood Recognition Program (NRP) Specialist.
Rally and recruit your neighbours to form a FireSmart Neighbourhood Committee.
Not sure if your neighbourhood already has a champion or not sure how to recruit your neighbours? Contact us are we will help you connect with your neighbors, provide space and snacks for committee meetings, and walk you through the process of becoming a FireSmart Neighborhood!
Neighbourhood Wildfire Hazard Assessment. An assigned NRP Specialist will reach out to the Neighbourhood Champion to schedule a time to conduct a Neighbourhood Wildfire Assessment. These assessments are done from October - January.
Set up the NRP portal. The NRP Specialist will work with the Champion to set up their neighbourhood’s NRP portal on the FireSmart Canada website.
Upload documents to the portal. Once the portal is active, the NRP Specialist will upload the completed Neighbourhood Wildfire Hazard Assessment, which includes mitigation recommendations.
Make a plan! The Neighbourhood Champion and Committee reviews the Wildfire Hazard Assessment and mitigation recommendations to develop a plan for their community.
Ensure that your community plan is well documented. Contact us if you need assistance at this stage.
Apply for funding. Neighbourhood Champions/Committees are encouraged to annually apply for the Neighbourhood Recognition Program Incentive through FireSmart Canada.
Applications for the NRP incentive open at the beginning of November. The deadline to apply is 31 January 2026.
Successful applicants will receive $1,000 for the first year to pay for BBQ food, FireSmarting tools, debris removal, and other items needed for clean-up events. In subsequent years, applicants will receive $750.
To apply for this incentive, Neighbourhood Champions/Committees must have completed a Wildfire Hazard Assessment, created a mitigation plan, and have uploaded these documents to the portal provided to you by the NRP Specialist.
Get active! Neighbourhood Committees activate their plan and schedule events. A common model includes the following two steps:
1. A neighbourhood BBQ to hold a FireSmart Preparedness Day
2. A subsequent neighbourhood clean-up event
Once you have your dates, let the Regional FireSmart Coordinator know, with as much time as possible. They can arrange to have firefighters, and based on availability they can attend both gatherings to talk with individual homeowners and share their experiences.
The Biosphere can help you organize, market, and host events in your neighborhood!
A few helpful tips:
- Although these can happen at anytime of year, a good time is spring once the snow is gone and people start thinking about the upcoming fire season.
- Check out the Town of Canmore Neighbourhood Connection Trailer that can be rented for events.
- If you want to hold a FireSmart Preparndess Day in your community, you can apply for a permit here.
Apply for Recognition. Once you have completed activities outlined in your plan you can apply for recognition! The Neighbourhood Champion/Committee can apply for the FireSmart Canada Neighbourhood Recognition Status.
Keep up the momentum. Keep in touch with your committee and think about what you might do in 2027. Renew Recognition Status on an annual basis through the FireSmart Canada portal.
Get funding through FireSmart Canada’s Wildfire Community Prepardness Day.
If you’d rather just organize your neighbours for an annual clean-up event and avoid some of the steps listed above, you can still receive up to $500 through FireSmart Canada’s Wildfire Community Preparedness Day, which is always observed on the first Saturday in May.

If you would like to become a neighborhood Champion, or you are curious to know if there is already a champion or committee in your neighborhood, please fill out this form and we will connect with you right away!

Learn more + get involved!

FireSmart Peaks

Canmore’s Peaks of Grassi neighborhood is participating in the neighborhood recognition program! They are doing incredible work to bring their neighbors together to ensure the community is more resilient. Check out their website for information on upcoming events, ways you can get involved, and resources to engage your neighborhood!

Firesmart Peaks