On December 7, 2023, Minister Loewen, Minister of Forestry and Parks, announced the Province’s $5 million contribution towards providing municipalities with financial assistance to construct fireguards in high-risk communities across the province and integrating livestock grazing as a guard maintenance tactic and economic opportunity. The aim is to create safer communities to mitigate the repercussions of wildfires and foster wildfire resilience throughout the province.

On April 29, 2024, Minister Loewen announced that an additional $14 million will be provide to the Community Fireguard Program.

The purpose of the program is to support the Provincial FireSmart Program initiative by funding the construction of community fireguards that provide for enhanced public safety and improved protection of at-risk communities.

Applications may be submitted by municipalities; Métis Settlements, Co-operatives, Enterprise or Community Locals; and Alberta First Nations. Prioritized projects will be based on community risk level and project readiness. Proposed projects are anticipated to permit livestock grazing as a means of ongoing and longer-term vegetation management on the sites.

A Request for Proposals was announced March 13, 2024 with submissions due by April 12, 2024 for “Phase 1: Planning” project funding requests.

When funding is available for “Phase 2: Construction”,  short-listed applicants from “Phase 1: Planning” will be invited to submit proposals for continued project development.