Town of Hinton Launches FireSmart™ Home Assessment Program with Support from Intact’s Municipal Climate Resiliency Grant

Hinton, AB – The Town of Hinton is proud to announce that it has been selected as a 2025 recipient of Intact’s Municipal Climate Resiliency Grant, receiving $200,000 to strengthen local wildfire protection measures.

This funding will support community‑led initiatives that reduce risks to homes, infrastructure, and public safety, including the launch of Hinton’s FireSmart™ Home Assessment Program, homeowner rebates for FireSmart™ upgrades, deployment of wildfire protection sprinkler systems for higher‑risk properties, and community access to FireSmart™ tools.

Program Highlights

FireSmart™ Home Assessment Rebate Program
Formally trained firefighters will assess the exterior of participating properties and provide a personalized report identifying actions to reduce wildfire risk. Residents who complete eligible upgrades identified as “needs attention” in their assessment and aligned with FireSmart™ standards may qualify for rebates.

Level of Rebate:

$0–$999.99: Sprinkler System

$1,000–$2,999.99: $500 rebate

$3,000–$5,999.99: $1,000 rebate

$6,000 and above: $2,000 rebate
Maximum rebate per household: $2,000. Rebates are issued after work completion and receipt submission.

Sprinkler Support for High‑Risk Properties
A limited number of sprinkler systems will be distributed based on wildfire risk categories (A—Most Serious, B—Moderate, C—Low). Homeowners install systems with placement guidance if needed; in the event of an approaching wildfire, firefighters will have the ability to activate systems to ensure safe, efficient water use. If more than two sprinklers are required, the determination will be made by responding firefighters.

FireSmart™ Equipment Trailer & Community Work Bee

As part of our community wildfire‑mitigation efforts, residents will have access to the Town of Hinton’s FireSmart™ equipment trailer during designated community events, such as the upcoming FireSmart™ Work Bee on May 2, 2026.

The enclosed equipment trailer includes a wood chipper for small‑diameter (3-inch) trees, along with shovels, rakes, pruners, and other tools to support FireSmart™ work.

During these events, residents will also have access to:

Vegetation‑waste disposal bins for branches, brush, and other combustible materials

Fire‑resistant materials, such as gravel, to help harden the first 1.5 metres (immediate zone) surrounding their homes.

FireSmart™ Work Bee — May 2, 2026

Held on Wildfire Community Preparedness Day, this community Work Bee gives residents hands‑on support to complete wildfire‑mitigation tasks. Participants will be able to use the FireSmart™ equipment trailer, dispose of vegetation waste, and access materials to improve the immediate zone around their homes.

Trained FireSmart™ home assessors will be on‑site during the event to provide guidance, answer questions, help residents understand how to better protect their homes from wildfire, and register for a FireSmart™ home assessment. Additional event details—including times, equipment sign‑out procedures, and meeting locations—will be shared closer to the date.

Registration

Spaces are limited and scheduled on a first‑come, first‑served basis until 200 Home Assessments are completed. Sign up: www.hinton.ca/homeassessments

National Context & Intact’s Support

These Hinton initiatives are among 19 community‑led projects selected across Canada as part of Intact’s expanded $3.1 million commitment to climate adaptation through its Municipal Climate Resiliency Grant. The 2025-2026 cohort was selected from over 170 applicants, reflecting a diverse mix of municipalities, registered charities, and Indigenous communities.

"At Intact, we recognize that no two areas face the same climate risks, which is why we value solutions tailored to local needs. Hinton is a great example of what local leadership on climate resilience looks like—acting early to reduce wildfire risks in ways that reflect the strengths of this community,” said Rosa Nelson, Vice President, Business Development, Western Canada, Intact Financial Corporation. “We’re proud to support their vision through our Municipal Climate Resiliency Grants program. These are practical, regionally rooted solutions aimed at making a real difference.”

Intact has been dedicated to climate adaptation for over a decade, investing more than $30 million since 2010 in over 100 projects. The Municipal Climate Resiliency Grants program launched in 2021 with $1 million to fund 10 communities; in 2025, Intact increased its commitment to $3.1 million over two years to support 19 communities nationwide.

How Intact is Supporting Canadians for a Changing Climate

Keep It Intact: a national, long‑term prevention program with tools and practical advice for homeowners to reduce damage from extreme weather.

FireSmart™ Scorecard: launched by the Intact Centre with FireSmart™ Alberta to help communities assess and strengthen wildfire readiness.

Wildfire prevention service: offered at no additional cost to eligible Intact customers in Alberta and British Columbia, deploying during active wildfires to help protect homes (removing combustibles, setting up temporary sprinklers, securing exterior openings).

Key Facts

In 2024, approximately 70% of total area burned by wildfires occurred in Western Canada (BC, Alberta, NWT, Saskatchewan).

Summer 2024 saw $7.1 billion in insured losses from severe weather—the most destructive season in Canadian history—with 228,000 claims, a 406% increase versus the 20‑year average.

About the Town of Hinton

The Town of Hinton is committed to building a safe, resilient, and thriving community through strategic planning, partnerships, and public engagement. The Town has made ongoing investments in wildfire preparedness, including regular updates to emergency management plans, FireSmart™ vegetation management in public areas, and a dedicated Wildfire Preparedness Information Hub offering resources for residents. Hinton continues to advance community resilience by collaborating with provincial partners and sharing practical guidance to help residents reduce wildfire risk and enhance neighbourhood safety.

About Intact Financial Corporation

Intact Financial Corporation (TSX: IFC) is a global provider of property and casualty insurance founded on core values and a belief that insurance is about people, not things. Intact's success is fueled by its 32,000 employees worldwide who embody the company's purpose: to help people, businesses and society prosper in good times and be resilient in bad times. To achieve its ambitions, Intact seeks to ensure customers are its advocates, its people are engaged and the company is one of the most respected.

Intact is the largest provider of property and casualty insurance in Canada and it has successfully exported its strengths across North America, the UK and Europe. Its growing commercial and specialty solutions network now spans over 150 countries. With a customer-driven mindset, Intact has expanded its operations to include insurance distribution, restoration and prevention.

Intact solidifies its outperformance by leveraging its competitive advantages: global leadership in data and AI for pricing and risk selection; deep claims expertise and integrated supply chain network; and strong capital and investment management. Intact's total annual operating Direct Premiums Written has tripled over the last decade to $25 billion. Explore Intact's offerings at intactfc.com.