FireSmart Rebate Program back in the City of Merritt

MERRITT – As the wildfire season approaches, the City of Merritt has brought back the FireSmart Rebate Program in attempts to encourage residents to fire smart their property.

“People might be familiar last year we had the FireSmart Rebate which is finances that goes towards home owners that were working towards fire smarting their properties,” said Gareth Tilt, Merritt Firefighter and Public Education Coordinator.

When it comes to staying active during the wildfire season, Tilt gives a couple of tips for homeowners.

“This could be everything from putting gutter guards on your home, to the removal of conifer trees like cedars or pine trees from your yard, which we know are a high wildfire risk. Things like removing bark mulch replacing them with pea gravel, things that still have an ability to retain a little bit of moisture but at the same time aren’t a wildfire risk.”

Last year the rebate was mainly for the Bench area of the City and offered residents up to $500 if they spent $1,000 in fire smart efforts. This year the rebate program is getting a big boost.

“This year we are really excited to say we have been able to broaden that grant out to the over arching Merritt area and it’s up to a $1,000, so if you are doing some changes to your home and looking to recoup some of the costs,” said Tilt. “We can give up to 50 percent back, up to $1,000, for the work that you have done. So if you are thinking about re-siding your home with hardy plank, this year that money can go towards that, if you are thinking about other projects feel free to run it by us to see if it is something that might apply at the end of the day.”

Merritt Fire Rescue is willing to come and check out properties and provide input and advice on how to fire smart and qualify for this rebate program.

“We are also happy to come and do a free home safety assessment and give you some ideas about areas that you may be able to start to get some of that work done,” added Tilt. “If you’re not sure what might apply, by all means give us a call and we would be happy to send over a local fire smart representative to do a little walk around the exterior of your home and let you know what you can do to improve your wildfire resilience.”