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Upper Hill Hinton

FireSmart™ Home Assessments

Reduce your wildfire risk and save on home improvements through the FireSmart™ Home Assessment Program. Eligible residents may qualify for rebates or sprinkler support under the Intact Community Resilience Grant.


Sign-up for a FireSmart™ Home Assessment

Spaces are limited and will be scheduled on a first‑come, first‑served basis. Registration will remain open until the goal of completing 200 home assessments has been reached.


What is a Home Assessment?

Formally trained firefighters will walk through the exterior of your property with you, identifying vulnerabilities and answering your questions.
After the visit, you’ll receive a detailed, personalized report outlining the specific actions and upgrades needed to reduce your wildfire risk.

FireSmart™ Home Assessments strengthen our community by helping residents work together toward a shared goal: building a more resilient Hinton. They also provide an important opportunity to increase understanding around wildfire prevention, fuel management, and FireSmart™ best practices.


How the Program Works

To qualify for rebates or sprinkler consideration, homeowners must first complete a FireSmart™ Home Assessment conducted by the Fire Department.
Rebates are provided after all approved improvements are completed, work is confirmed by FireSmart™ Home Assessors, and receipts are submitted to the Emergency Services Building (Fire Hall) at 184 Eaton Drive.


Rebate Program

Eligibility

You may qualify for a rebate if:

  • You have completed a FireSmart™ Home Assessment, done by the Hinton Fire Department.
  • You make improvements that address items marked as "needs attention" OR FireSmart™ recommendations in the assessment.
  • All upgrades meet FireSmart™ standards.
  • Once improvements are made, contact the Hinton Fire Department (by email, or phone) so they can return to confirm the work meets FireSmart™ standards.
  • You have all receipts for the work done, and apply for the rebate.

Rebate Amounts

Rebate amounts are based on the total cost of eligible improvements:

Total Cost of Improvements Rebate Amount
$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

Priority Levels

  1. A — Most Serious Potential for Direct Flame Impingement
  2. B — Moderate Potential
  3. C — Low Potential

Eligible Improvements

Only improvements related to identified hazards may qualify. Common eligible upgrades include:

  • Replacing non-FireSmart™ decking
  • Replacing combustible or non-FireSmart™ siding
  • Replacing combustible fencing attached to the home
  • Upgrading roofing materials that do not meet FireSmart™ guidelines

All improvements must meet FireSmart™ standards to be reimbursed.


Sprinkler Program

The Intact Community Resilience Program also provides a limited number of sprinklers to support wildfire risk reduction.

Who Qualifies?

To qualify for a sprinkler system, homeowners must:

  • Complete a FireSmart™ Home Assessment, conducted by the Hinton Fire Department.
  • Meet the risk criteria based on wildfire exposure and structural vulnerabilities.

Because supply is limited, sprinklers are allocated according to wildfire risk:

Priority Levels

  1. A — Most Serious Potential for Direct Flame Impingement
  2. B — Moderate Potential
  3. C — Low Potential

Sprinklers are issued starting with Category A properties, then B and C as supplies allow.


Sprinkler Installation & Activation

  • Homeowners are responsible for installing their sprinkler system.
  • Firefighters can offer guidance on proper placement if needed.
  • In the event of an approaching wildfire, firefighters—not homeowners—will have the ability to activate the sprinkler system to ensure safe and efficient water use.
  • If more than two sprinklers are required, this determination will be made by the responding firefighters.

FireSmart™ Work Bee – Wildfire Community Preparedness Day

May 2, 2026

The Town of Hinton and Intact Insurance are pleased to host a community-wide FireSmart™ Work Bee on Wildfire Community Preparedness Day, May 2, 2026. This hands‑on event brings residnets together to reduce wildfire risk, protect neighbourhoods, and strengthen neighborhood resilience.

How to Participate

Participants are asked to check in at the Fire Hall before beginning any work. This ensures volunteers are signed in, receive instructions, and are directed to the appropriate work area.
At check-in, residents will:

  • Sign in for the event
  • Receive directions to the designated FireSmart™ work area.
  • Receive a FREE BBQ voucher as a thank-you for volunteering

The Fire Department has identified priority areas along Switzer Drive and near Harry Collinge High School for community FireSmart™ efforts. Volunteers will be directed to these locations upon check-in.

FireSmart™ Activities

Volunteers will be supporting FireSmart™ cleanup by:

  • Picking up sticks and woody debris
  • Creating debris piles and disposing them in the vegetation waste disposal bins.

This work supports ongoing wildfire mitigation efforts and helps reduce hazardous fuels within the community.

Participants are encouraged to work at their own pace and contribute in a way that fits their comfort and ability.

What to Bring

Participants should bring:

  • Work gloves
  • Weather-appropriate clothing and sturdy footwear
  • A friend, a family member, or a neighbour, all ages and experience levels are welcome to participate.
    * Children under 8 years of age must be supervised by and adult or a responsible person aged 14 or older. Parents must sign in their children.

Every small action helps improve neighbourhood safety and strengthens community preparedness.

Vegetation Waste Disposal

To support proper cleanup, dumpster bins will be available for branches, brush, and other vegetative debris.

Community members participating in FireSmart™ activities at their own homes are invited to use the disposal bins provide for this event. Branches and brush cleaned up can be disposed of at bins located at:

  • The East-side of Dr. Duncan Murray Recreation Centre, near the Rotary Spray & Play Park.
  • Eaton Drive - the green space by the power line.

Materials such as gravel and other fire-resistant options will also be provided to help residents improve the first 1.5 metres (immediate zone) surrounding their home—one of the most critical zones for wildfire protection.

FireSmart™ Progress

FireSmart™ efforts to date have already made a meaningful impact. So far this year:

  • 30 debris piles have been burned
  • 0.93 hectares have been treated

Community participation plays a key role in continuing this progress and reducing wildfire risk.

Thank you for your continued commitment to wildfire safety. We encourage all residents to participate and take advantage of the resources available. Thank you for your commitment to community wildfire safety—we look forward to working together on May 2, 2026.


Thank you to Canadian Red Cross and Intact Insurance for contributing as event sponsors to make this day happen.

Opportunities to Engage

Stay Informed

Get notified on upcoming engagements and the latest project related news.

"You could be the difference!"
Hinton Fire Rescue
Hinton Fire Rescue
Town of Hinton

Project Timeline

August 2025 - December 2026

Make FireSmart™ Improvements

August 2025 - March 2027

Confirmation of Work

March 2026 - April 2027
Email firehall@hinton.ca

Project Updates

Important Dates

2
mai 2026

Wildfire Community Preparedness Day | FireSmart™ Work Bee

The Town of Hinton is pleased to host a community FireSmart™ Work Bee on Wildfire Community Preparedness Day, May 2, 2026. This hands-on event brings residents together to reduce wildfire risk, protect neighbourhoods, and strengthen community resilience.

**How to Participate **

Participants are asked to check in at the Fire Hall before beginning any work. This ensures volunteers are signed in, receive instructions, and are directed to the appropriate work area.

At check-in, residents will:

  • Sign in for the event
  • Receive directions to the designated FireSmart™ work area
  • Receive a burger BBQ coupon as a thank-you for volunteering

The Fire Department has identified priority areas along Switzer Drive and near Harry Collinge High School for community FireSmart™ efforts. Volunteers will be directed to these locations upon check-in.

**FireSmart™ Activities **

Volunteers will be supporting FireSmart™ cleanup by:

  • Picking up sticks and woody debris
  • Creating debris piles and disposing them in the vegetation waste disposal bins.

This work supports ongoing wildfire mitigation efforts and helps reduce hazardous fuels within the community.

Participants are encouraged to work at their own pace and contribute in a way that fits their comfort and ability.