The Canadian Red Cross recognizes that mitigation measures can be powerful tools for protecting against future wildfires. The Residential Mitigation Incentive Program provides financial incentives for people living in impacted areas who are interested in completing mitigative activities to be better prepared for and help the reduce risks and the impacts of future wildfire events.
Please visit our website for more information, by clicking here.
Available Funding
There are a range of activities to choose from, including activities that should be completed annually and more substantial projects. Depending on the activities chosen and completed, your household may be eligible for a reimbursement of up to $3,000 to help with the associated costs. The amount of reimbursement you may receive will depend on the specific activities you undertook.
Approved applicants are required to provide proof of the work completed (by providing before and after photos) and, for some activities, are also required to submit receipts to be eligible for reimbursement. If your application is approved, you will be provided with information on what your next steps are depending on which activities you have selected.
Please note that there are limited funds available for this program. Eligible residents are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
Eligibility Criteria
The Residential Mitigation Incentive program is available to those who:
- Are residents of Nova Scotia with a primary residence in an area that was impacted by the 2023 Nova Scotia Wildfires
- Were previously registered and authenticated with the Canadian Red Cross due to the 2023 Nova Scotia Wildfires
- Are a homeowner, a tenant, or live in a community-owned home
- Have a primary residence that was not damaged or incurred minor damage due to the 2023 Nova Scotia Wildfires
Applicants must select from the following list of eligible mitigation activities:
- Perform roof maintenance/repairs
- Repair windows and/or exterior doors
- Repair cracks, gaps, or holes in exterior cladding/siding
- Build or purchase an emergency preparedness kit
- Remove debris from eavestroughs around your home
- Remove all combustible ground cover, such as mulch and plants, within 1.5m of the house perimeter
- Remove combustible materials (firewood, lumber and non-fire-resistant vegetation) stored within 10m of house perimeter and from under the decks
- Prune trees to create a 2 meters clearance from the ground to the lowest tree branches
- Create a fire safe apartment patio or balcony – clear combustible items like dry leaves, cardboard boxes, and other flammable items
- Create a fire safe apartment patio or balcony, purchase fire-resistant furniture and/or planters
- Replace existing roofing with Class A fire-rated roofing
- Replace combustible siding with non-combustible or ignition resistant material
- Install/retrofit all deck boards (including stair treads and railings) with fire-rated materials
- Replace exterior doors with ones that are fire-rated and thermally insulated
- FireSmartTM Tree Replacement
- Install non-combustible gutter guards
- Purchase of a wildfire suppression gutter or roof mounted sprinkler system
Deadline to Apply
The application period will be from July 22, 2025, to October 31, 2025. All activities must be completed, with a final report submitted by September 30, 2026.
Contact Us
If you have questions about the Residential Mitigation Incentive Program or need assistance applying, please contact us at NSMitigation@redcross.ca or call us at 1-833-966-4225 from Monday to Friday, between 9:00 am and 5:30 pm Atlantic Time, closed on weekends and statutory holidays.
2023 Nova Scotia Wildfires - Residential Mitigation Incentive Program
The Canadian Red Cross recognizes that mitigation measures can be powerful tools for protecting against future wildfires. The Residential Mitigation Incentive Program provides financial incentives for people living in impacted areas who are interested in completing mitigative activities to be better prepared for and help the reduce risks and the impacts of future wildfire events.
Please visit our website for more information, by clicking here.
Available Funding
There are a range of activities to choose from, including activities that should be completed annually and more substantial projects. Depending on the activities chosen and completed, your household may be eligible for a reimbursement of up to $3,000 to help with the associated costs. The amount of reimbursement you may receive will depend on the specific activities you undertook.
Approved applicants are required to provide proof of the work completed (by providing before and after photos) and, for some activities, are also required to submit receipts to be eligible for reimbursement. If your application is approved, you will be provided with information on what your next steps are depending on which activities you have selected.
Please note that there are limited funds available for this program. Eligible residents are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
Eligibility Criteria
The Residential Mitigation Incentive program is available to those who:
- Are residents of Nova Scotia with a primary residence in an area that was impacted by the 2023 Nova Scotia Wildfires
- Were previously registered and authenticated with the Canadian Red Cross due to the 2023 Nova Scotia Wildfires
- Are a homeowner, a tenant, or live in a community-owned home
- Have a primary residence that was not damaged or incurred minor damage due to the 2023 Nova Scotia Wildfires
Applicants must select from the following list of eligible mitigation activities:
- Perform roof maintenance/repairs
- Repair windows and/or exterior doors
- Repair cracks, gaps, or holes in exterior cladding/siding
- Build or purchase an emergency preparedness kit
- Remove debris from eavestroughs around your home
- Remove all combustible ground cover, such as mulch and plants, within 1.5m of the house perimeter
- Remove combustible materials (firewood, lumber and non-fire-resistant vegetation) stored within 10m of house perimeter and from under the decks
- Prune trees to create a 2 meters clearance from the ground to the lowest tree branches
- Create a fire safe apartment patio or balcony – clear combustible items like dry leaves, cardboard boxes, and other flammable items
- Create a fire safe apartment patio or balcony, purchase fire-resistant furniture and/or planters
- Replace existing roofing with Class A fire-rated roofing
- Replace combustible siding with non-combustible or ignition resistant material
- Install/retrofit all deck boards (including stair treads and railings) with fire-rated materials
- Replace exterior doors with ones that are fire-rated and thermally insulated
- FireSmartTM Tree Replacement
- Install non-combustible gutter guards
- Purchase of a wildfire suppression gutter or roof mounted sprinkler system
Deadline to Apply
The application period will be from July 22, 2025, to October 31, 2025. All activities must be completed, with a final report submitted by September 30, 2026.
Contact Us
If you have questions about the Residential Mitigation Incentive Program or need assistance applying, please contact us at NSMitigation@redcross.ca or call us at 1-833-966-4225 from Monday to Friday, between 9:00 am and 5:30 pm Atlantic Time, closed on weekends and statutory holidays.