Governments of Canada and Northwest Territories invest in wildfire resilience

Jan. 28, 2025, Northwest Territories — The governments of Canada and Northwest Territories are jointly investing $10.3 million over five years to improve wildfire resilience in the Northwest Territories.

The investment, being made through the Resilient Communities through FireSmart Program, will apply FireSmart practices in communities across the territory, the federal government reported in a press release.

“Canadians from coast to coast to coast have felt the effects of a changing climate. The growing intensity and speed of wildfires is one of these effects,” said Michael McLeod, member of parliament for Northwest Territories, in a media statement. “That is why this federal government will continue to provide timely and tangible support to help communities prepare for wildfires.”

The federal government is contributing over $7.7 million of the investment, with the Northwest Territories providing over $2.5 million.

Actions taken with the investment include establishing a dedicated prevention and mitigation unit, launching the FireSmart Advanced Home Assessment program, cross-training members of 17 structural fire departments to deliver FireSmart programs, completing over 100 FireSmart Advanced Home Assessments, and developing an enhanced public education program.