Some N.S. wildfire evacuees eligible for up to $3K to support fire mitigation projects
Canadian Red Cross program only available for those whose homes weren't damaged by fire
A new program from the Canadian Red Cross is offering financial assistance to those forced to evacuate during the 2023 Nova Scotia wildfires who want to make their homes less susceptible to future wildfires.
The program opened to applicants on July 22. Residents with a primary dwelling in an area impacted by the 2023 fires in Upper Tantallon, Hammonds Plains and Shelburne County who have previously registered with the Canadian Red Cross are eligible.
It will provide up to $3,000 in reimbursement for any remediation measures taken to homes not damaged, or largely undamaged, in the wildfires.
"We hope this never occurs, but with the way things are, it has certainly has the possibility to occur again, so we want to make sure people are well prepared and can mitigate what they can," Bill Lawlor, vice-president for the Canadian Red Cross in Atlantic Canada, told CBC's Information Morning Nova Scotia.
He said other programs are in place to support those whose homes were directly impacted by the wildfires.
The funding comes from money raised following an appeal for support by the organization following the wildfires, which included matching contributions from the provincial and federal governments.
Lawlor said mitigation efforts could include removing combustible material like mulch and plants from within 1.5 metres of a home up to more costly activities like a roof replacement.
The program doesn't necessarily provide coverage for the full cost of improvements, but offers some funding to offset costs.
A full list of eligible activities is available here.
The deadline to apply for the program is Oct. 31, 2025. Projects must be completed by next September.
The 2023 wildfires damaged more than 25,000 hectares in Nova Scotia. More than 200 homes were lost.
With files from Information Morning Nova Scotia