Municipalities and community groups throughout the province can take action to increase their resilience to wildfire by applying for a Wildfire Community Preparedness Day award from FireSmart Canada. The deadline to apply is January 31, 2026.

Wildfire Community Preparedness Day is officially May 2, 2026, but can take place on any day between May and November.

Community awards provide $500 in financial assistance to municipalities and community groups looking to implement projects and FireSmart initiatives that help mitigate the risk of wildfires and promote community preparedness.

Newfoundland and Labrador has been participating in the Wildfire Community Preparedness Day program since 2019. In 2025, a record 44 municipalities, fire departments, and community organizations across the province received funding, an impressive increase from 13 recipients in 2024 and 10 in 2023, which highlights increasing community dedication to wildfire prevention and preparation.

Information about the program and applications are available on FireSmart Canada's website.

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"With the number of wildfires increasing across the country and globally, the new government is committed to helping ensure Newfoundlanders and Labradorians live in safe communities. We are pleased to work with FireSmart Canada to offer practical, effective and science-based programs that help ensure residents are better prepared when wildfires occur. I encourage all municipalities and community groups to take part in this important initiative."

Honourable Pleaman Forsey, Minister of Forestry, Agriculture and Lands

Learn more

• FireSmart Canada