FireSmart in the Bow Valley

The Bow Valley is naturally prone to wildfires. Climate change and the expansion of our communities into forested areas has dramatically increased wildfire risk to homes and infrastructure.

We believe that adopting FireSmart principles is essential to enhance our resilience and protect what we cherish, which is why we’ve added Community Wildfire Resilience to our strategic plan.

FireSmart Tool Lending Kits

Planning a neighbourhood clean-up or FireSmart project?The Biosphere offers free FireSmart tool lending kits to help residents take action to reduce wildfire risk on their properties and in their neighbourhoods.

What’s included:

Rakes and loppers
Pruners and shears
Handsaws and polesaws
Work gloves, safety glasses, and high-visibility vests

Contact kendra@biosphereinstitute.org to reserve a tool kit or learn more about how we can support your neighbourhood.

FireSmart Ambassador Program

Thanks to generous support from Wawanesa, the FireSmart Ambassador Program is back for another season. This summer, our team will be visiting neighbourhoods across Canmore, connecting with residents and sharing practical steps to reduce wildfire risk at home and across the community. We are currently looking for volunteers to support this important outreach.

Volunteer with us

Neighbourhood Recognition Program

We work with residents across Canmore to build local momentum and support communities through the Neighbourhood Recognition Program. Our team can help you connect with neighbours, organize information sessions and clean-up events, access funding, and navigate the process from start to recognition.

Learn more

How We Supported FireSmart Action in 2025

Thanks to generous support from the G7, we partnered with the Town of Canmore to support residents and neighborhoods.

FireSmart Ambassador Program

As part of this project we launched a door knocking campaign that helped educate residents about reducing wildfire risk on their own properties. We shared information about the Neighborhood Recognition Program and encouraged residents to connect with their neighbors to see an even greater impact.

This program ran from August 21st to October 16th, 2025 and in that time we visited 520 homes in the Larch, Ridge, and Silvertip neighbourhoods!

Based on our conversations with residents we found that:

36% of residents had done Firesmarting on their property and another 32% were aware of Firesmarting principles.
82% of residents did not know about the Neighbourhood Recognition Program.
93% of residents we spoke to committed to taking action to reduce wildfire risk on their own property.

Supporting the Neighborhood Recognition Program

We are also offering support to any Canmore resident who would like to learn more about the FireSmart Neighborhood Recognition Program, wants to connect with their neighbors, or host a neighborhood event.

We are already working with several residents who have stepped up as Neighborhood Champions.

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

What is FireSmart?

FireSmart is a comprehensive approach to wildfire prevention and mitigation. It encompasses best practices, educational programs, and community initiatives designed to reduce wildfire risks. By embracing FireSmart, residents, neighborhoods, and local governments collaborate to create safer environments.

FireSmart Begins at Home

Homeowners play a pivotal role in wildfire risk reduction. It’s not often the fire front that causes homes to catch fire, but embers that can be blown several kilometers from the fire. These embers land on roofs and flammable material in your yard and cause fire to start in our neighborhoods. Implementing FireSmart strategies around your property can significantly decrease vulnerability. Key actions include:

Roofing: Opt for fire-resistant materials and ensure roofs are free of combustible debris.
Yard Maintenance: Regularly clear leaves, needles, and other flammable materials.
Vegetation Management: Maintain a defensible space by trimming trees and shrubs, especially within 10 meters of structures.

For a comprehensive guide check out the FireSmart Fact Sheet.

FireSmart Fact Sheet

Home Ignition Zone

Reduce the chance of wind-blown embers igniting your home:
- Ensure a 1.5 metre non-combustible surface surrounds your home.
- Clear vegetation and combustible materials.
- Avoid planting woody shrubs or trees.
Prevent fire from reaching your home:
- Plant fire-resistant vegetation and avoid woody debris, including bark mulch.
- Use non-combustible landscaping materials.
- Remove combustibles like firewood, construction materials, and patio furniture.
Limit the intensity of fire:
- Maintain a minimum of 3 metres of horizontal space between evergreen trees.
- Clear branches lower than 2 metres from the ground.
- Regularly clean up fallen branches, dry grass, and needles

Learn more

Request a FireSmart Assessment

FireSmart Home and Property Visits are available in Banff, Canmore, and the MD of Bighorn to help residents assess and reduce wildfire risk around their properties.

Step 1: Complete FireSmart Canada 101 Training

Before requesting an assessment, homeowners and condo board members are required to complete the online FireSmart Canada 101 course. This short, self-paced training provides the essential knowledge needed to understand wildfire risk and the FireSmart approach. Click here to take the online course.

Canmore

Canmore Fire-Rescue offers free FireSmart Home/Property Visits to help residents evaluate and reduce wildfire risks around their homes.

A Fire-Rescue team member will visit your property for approximately 60 minutes.
You’ll receive customized recommendations to help make your home more wildfire resilient.
Assessments are limited to areas within your property lines.

Request a firesmart assessment in canmore

Banff

In Banff, FireSmart Home Assessments are coordinated by the Town of Banff and supported by Parks Canada and Alberta Wildfire.

Assessments focus on the home ignition zone—the area within 30 metres of your house.
Residents will receive practical advice tailored to the local environment and vegetation.

Request a firesmart assessment in banff

MD of Bighorn

FireSmart support in the MD of Bighorn is available through municipal emergency services and regional partnerships.

Availability may vary by hamlet or location (e.g., Exshaw, Harvie Heights, Dead Man’s Flats).
Residents are encouraged to contact the MD office or local fire department to inquire about FireSmart visits and community initiatives.

Request a firesmart assessment in MD of Bighorn

Want to Learn More?

There are plenty of resources available for you to start taking action on your property! Download the FireSmart Begins at Home app to start a self evaluation of your property. This will help you identify priority areas for you to focus on when FireSmarting your home.

Download the App!

Bow Valley Community Fireguard

The Bow Valley Community Fireguard is a local wildfire mitigation initiative developed by the Town of Canmore in partnership with the MD of Bighorn and Kananaskis Improvement District and with support from Alberta Forestry and Parks. Its purpose is to create a landscape-level firebreak that protects communities like Banff and Canmore by reducing the amount of flammable vegetation in key interface zones between the forest and townsites.

These strategically located fireguards:

Reduce wildfire intensity and spread near populated areas
Provide safer zones for wildfire suppression efforts
Are designed using ecological best practices to maintain wildlife corridors and native biodiversity

The Community Fireguard is an excellent example of FireSmart principles in action at a broader, landscape scale. It complements homeowner and neighborhood-level efforts by addressing larger-scale wildfire threats through fuel reduction and ecosystem-based fire management. However, Fireguards alone are not enough to protect the community. It’s important that everyone does their part to ensure our community is as resilient as possible in the face of a wildfire event.

For more information visit FireSmart Alberta, and learn how you can take action and prepare for this very real climate threat.

Learn more