FireSmart Your Merritt Home Now: 2025 Rebates (Up to $5,000) + Free City Chipping Dates You Don’t Want to Miss

Bailee Allen
August 13, 2025

The City of Merritt is offering one of the most generous wildfire safety rebates in the province — up to $5,000 to cover half the cost of approved FireSmart upgrades to your property. On top of that, there’s a free curbside chipping program running on select dates to help you clear away highly flammable vegetation like cedar hedges and junipers, at no cost.

These are practical, proven steps to make your home more resilient, potentially save on insurance, and contribute to a safer community for all of us. In this guide, I’ll walk you through exactly what the 2025 Merritt FireSmart rebate covers, how to apply, which upgrades qualify, and how to make the most of the city’s free chipping days.

Why Wildfire Prep Matters in Merritt

Our summers are long, dry, and often windy, creating the perfect conditions for embers to travel kilometres ahead of an active fire. In fact, wildfire experts estimate that up to 90% of homes lost in wildfires ignite from wind-blown embers landing on vulnerable spots like roofs, gutters, or dry vegetation, not from direct flames.

That’s why wildfire preparation isn’t only for forested areas. Even in town, the landscaping choices you make, the condition of your roof, and how you store yard debris can make the difference between a home that survives and one that doesn’t.

For Merritt homeowners, the challenge is often cost. That’s where the 2025 FireSmart rebate and free chipping program come in. They remove the biggest barrier to action, making it easier than ever to upgrade your home’s wildfire resilience while keeping more money in your pocket.

Merritt’s Wildfire Risk at a Glance

Merritt sits in B.C.’s semi-arid Interior, surrounded by grasslands, pine forests, and rugged hills. While it’s a beautiful setting, it also means our community is in a high wildfire hazard zone during summer months. Here’s why:

  • Dry summers: Rainfall drops sharply in July and August, leaving vegetation tinder-dry.
  • Frequent winds: Strong gusts can carry embers long distances, igniting homes far from the fire front.
  • Flammable landscaping: Cedar hedges, juniper shrubs, and mugo pines are common in local yards — all of which are highly combustible.
  • Close proximity to wildland areas: Many neighbourhoods are within the “wildland–urban interface,” where homes and natural fuel sources meet.

The City’s Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan identifies multiple neighbourhoods at elevated risk, particularly those with dense vegetation close to structures. And while we can’t control the weather, we can control how well our properties are prepared.

The combination of smart landscaping, ember-proofing upgrades, and proactive fuel reduction is proven to drastically improve a home’s survival odds.

How FireSmart Protects Your Home (Embers vs. Flames)

When most people picture a wildfire, they imagine towering flames racing toward a house. The truth is, the biggest threat to homes isn’t direct fire — it’s embers. These tiny, burning fragments can travel kilometres on the wind, landing on vulnerable areas like:

  • Dry leaves and pine needles in gutters
  • Gaps in roof vents or soffits
  • Decks cluttered with firewood or furniture cushions
  • Dense, resinous shrubs right against exterior walls

If those embers find fuel, ignition can happen in seconds, even if the main fire is nowhere in sight.

FireSmart upgrades target these weak spots. By replacing combustible materials with fire-resistant options, clearing vegetation within the first 10 metres of your home, and installing ember-blocking vent screens, you remove a lot of risk.

Research from communities like Logan Lake and Fort McMurray proves that homes with FireSmart features are far more likely to survive a wildfire than their untreated neighbours.

2025 Merritt FireSmart Rebate Program Explained

The City of Merritt’s 2025 FireSmart Rebate Program is one of the most generous in B.C., offering to cover 50% of your wildfire mitigation project costs, up to a maximum of $5,000 per property.

This rebate is designed to make meaningful home upgrades more affordable. From replacing a wood shake roof with metal to removing a row of flammable junipers along your fence line. And unlike many programs in the province (where caps are closer to $500–$1,000), Merritt’s higher limit means you can tackle multiple improvements in one go.

Funds are first-come, first-served, and you must complete your work by September 30, 2025 to qualify. If you’ve been putting off FireSmart upgrades because of cost, this is your year to get them done.

What’s the Rebate and Who Can Get It?

The FireSmart rebate is open to all residential property owners within City of Merritt limits — including single-family homes, duplexes, and strata properties.

To qualify, you must:

  • Complete a free Wildfire Mitigation Home Assessment with a certified Local FireSmart Representative or Wildfire Mitigation Specialist.
  • Follow the recommendations from that assessment — only upgrades listed in your report are eligible for funding.
  • Submit proof of work (receipts and before/after photos) along with your rebate application.

Strata owners take note: the program also covers eligible improvements to common property, so your strata council can apply for shared projects.

The rebate will reimburse 50% of approved project costs, to a maximum of $5,000 per property. That’s per year, and only one rebate is issued per property.

If you live outside city limits, you won’t be eligible for Merritt’s program, but the Thompson-Nicola Regional District sometimes offers similar rebates for rural residents, so it’s worth checking their site.

Eligible Upgrades and Projects (FireSmart Your Home)

Not every home improvement qualifies for the rebate. The program focuses on proven wildfire risk–reduction measures, especially within the first 10 metres of your home. Eligible projects include:

1. Home Structure Hardening

  • Replacing a combustible roof (e.g., cedar shakes) with a fire-resistant option like metal, asphalt shingles, or clay tile.
  • Installing non-combustible siding (fiber-cement, stucco, brick).
  • Enclosing eaves and vents with 3 mm metal mesh to block embers.
  • Upgrading to non-combustible gutters or adding ember-resistant gutter guards.

2. Yard Fuel Reduction

  • Removing or pruning flammable shrubs and trees too close to your home, such as cedar hedges, junipers, and mugo pines.
  • Replacing hazardous plants with fire-resistant species.
  • Cutting grass to under 10 cm and clearing pine needles, leaves, and other debris.

3. Outbuilding & Debris Management

  • Moving woodpiles, sheds, and propane tanks away from the house.
  • Removing deadfall, slash, and woody debris from your yard.

Important: All projects must be recommended in your FireSmart assessment report to qualify. This ensures you’re focusing on the highest-priority risks for your property.

How to Apply Step-by-Step

Getting your Merritt FireSmart rebate is straightforward — here’s exactly what to do:

Step 1 – Book Your Free Home Assessment
Contact Merritt FireSmart by email (firesmart@merritt.ca) or phone (250-378-5626) to schedule a visit from a certified Local FireSmart Representative. They’ll inspect your property and identify specific wildfire risks.

Step 2 – Review Your Recommendations
After your assessment, you’ll receive a written report (Work Plan) detailing the upgrades that qualify for the rebate.

Step 3 – Complete the Work
Within 60 days (or the agreed timeline), complete the recommended upgrades yourself or hire contractors. Remember to:

  • Save all itemized receipts.
  • Take clear “before” and “after” photos of each project area.

Step 4 – Submit Your Rebate Application
Fill out the City’s official FireSmart Rebate Application Form (also available on Merritt’s website) and attach your proof of work.

Step 5 – Get Verified
A follow-up inspection will confirm that the work meets FireSmart standards. Once approved, your rebate will be issued by cheque or credit.

Key Tip: Funding is first-come, first-served. The application intake opened April 1, 2025, and all projects must be completed by September 30, 2025.

Deadlines and What to Expect (Timeline)

What to expect:

  • A City FireSmart Representative will inspect your completed work before issuing the rebate.
  • Rebates are paid by cheque or credit once your application is approved.
  • If funding runs out before the deadline, applications will close early — so don’t wait until late summer to start.

Free FireSmart Chipping Program – Dates & Details

Alongside the rebate, Merritt is also offering a free curbside chipping program in 2025 to help you get rid of the most flammable plants in your yard — without a trip to the landfill.

On three scheduled dates, City crews will pick up and chip piles of hazardous vegetation you place at the curb. It’s designed to target the worst wildfire fuels like cedar hedges, junipers, and other resinous evergreens that can ignite from a single ember.

This service is first-come, first-served and available to single-family homes within city limits. You must register in advance to get on the pickup list, and spots may fill quickly for each date.

Used in tandem with the FireSmart rebate, the chipping program makes it easier and more affordable to tackle those big yard cleanup jobs that can dramatically lower your wildfire risk.

Chipping Schedule for 2025 (Don’t Miss These Dates)

The City of Merritt has only one more curb-side chipping date for 2025:

  • Monday, September 29, 2025 — Register by September 22

How it works:

  1. Register in advance — sign-up is open. You can usually register by emailing the FireSmart Coordinator or through the City’s website.
  2. Place your pile by 7:00 AM on your pickup day.
  3. Crews will chip eligible materials on-site

What You Can and Can’t Put Out for Chipping

The chipping program is designed to target the most flammable vegetation in Merritt yards. Accepted materials include:

✅ Accepted

  • Cedar hedges
  • Juniper shrubs
  • Mugo pine
  • Conifer branches and prunings (pine, fir, spruce)

❌ Not Accepted

  • Deciduous trees or shrubs (maple, lilac, birch, etc.)
  • Grass clippings, flowers, or leafy yard waste
  • Bulk piles of pine needles
  • Roots, stumps, dirt, or rocks
  • Non-organic materials (plastic, wire, garbage)

Why so specific? Plants like cedar and juniper contain volatile oils and resins that burn extremely hot and fast — removing them drastically reduces your home’s ignition risk. If you set out materials that don’t meet the guidelines, crews will leave them behind.

Tips to Prep Your Pile (Make Pickup Easy)

A well-prepared pile makes the chipping process faster, safer, and more likely to get picked up without issues. Here’s how to get it right:

  1. Size matters – Branches must be 15 cm (6 in) or smaller in diameter. Larger pieces can damage the chipper.
  2. Cut ends face the road – Stack branches neatly with all cut ends pointing toward the street for easier feeding.
  3. Keep piles manageable – Avoid huge tangles; aim for bundles that one or two people can lift apart.
  4. Leave space – Position piles at least 1 metre (3 ft) away from fences, mailboxes, cars, and hydrants.
  5. No “hidden extras” – Double-check for rocks, nails, or wire before pickup.
  6. Be ready on time – Have your pile at the curb by 7:00 AM on your scheduled day.

Following these steps helps crews work efficiently and ensures your hazardous vegetation actually gets removed.

Extra Benefits of FireSmarting Your Home

Insurance Discounts & Peace of Mind

The benefits of FireSmarting your home go beyond safety. Some insurance companies now recognize wildfire mitigation efforts and reward homeowners with discounts. For example, BCAA offers $100 off your home insurance premium if you complete a certified Wildfire Home Assessment and carry out the recommended improvements.

Even if your insurer doesn’t offer a formal rebate, having documentation of your FireSmart upgrades shows you’re a lower risk which can make policy renewals smoother and may help in negotiations.

From a homeowner’s perspective, the biggest benefit is peace of mind. When wildfire season hits, knowing you’ve reduced the flammable materials around your home and hardened your structure is a huge relief.

Community Efforts & Resources (Join the Movement)

FireSmart is most effective when it’s a community-wide effort. Merritt is already taking big steps — from hosting wildfire preparedness days to offering free home assessments — but the real power comes when neighbours work together.

Here’s how you can tap into local resources:

  • Book your free FireSmart home assessment — even if you’re not applying for the rebate, you’ll get a personalized wildfire risk plan.
  • Attend local FireSmart events — watch for booths at the farmer’s market or community info sessions.
  • Use the FireSmart BC Landscaping Hub to choose fire-resistant plants when upgrading your yard.
  • Check the City’s Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan for a big-picture view of local risks and planned fuel reduction projects.

When entire streets commit to reducing fuel loads and hardening their homes, the risk of losing properties drops dramatically for everyone.

FAQs: FireSmart Rebates & Chipping in Merritt

1. How much is the 2025 Merritt FireSmart rebate?
You can get 50% back on eligible wildfire mitigation projects, up to a maximum of $5,000 per property.

2. Who can apply for the rebate?
All residential property owners within City of Merritt limits, including strata owners, can apply. Rural residents should check TNRD programs.

3. What upgrades qualify?
Only projects recommended in your FireSmart home assessment report qualify, such as fire-resistant roofing, siding, gutter upgrades, and hazardous vegetation removal.

4. How do I book a home assessment?
Email firesmart@merritt.ca or call 250-378-5626 to schedule your free on-site evaluation.

5. When are the 2025 chipping days?
September 29 is the last available chipping day this year. Registration is required by one week before each date.

6. What can I put out for chipping?
Cedar, juniper, mugo pine, and conifer branches are accepted. No leafy shrubs, grass, bulk pine needles, roots, or non-organic material.

7. Can FireSmart upgrades lower my insurance?
Some insurers, like BCAA, offer discounts for certified FireSmart homes. Always ask your provider if they recognize wildfire mitigation efforts.

Conclusion: Protect Your Home & Community Today

With the 2025 FireSmart rebate and free chipping program, you have the tools, resources, and financial support to make meaningful changes right now.

Whether it’s replacing a flammable roof, clearing out those old junipers, or simply booking your free home assessment, every step you take reduces your risk and helps protect our whole community.

I’ve seen firsthand how FireSmart improvements not only make homes safer, but also preserve property value and give buyers peace of mind. If you’re planning to sell, buy, or simply want to protect what you have, now is the time to act.

If you’d like help finding a home in a FireSmart-ready area or want advice on which upgrades make the biggest difference for resale, I’m always happy to chat.