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Wildfire Residential Mitigation Incentive Program

Mitigation measures can be powerful tools for protecting against future wildfires. The Residential Mitigation Incentive Program for the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo provided financial incentives for people living in areas impacted by the 2016 wildfires and who were interested in completing mitigative activities to be better prepared for and help reduce risks and the impacts of future wildfire events.


Available Funding

There were a range of activities to choose from, from simple annual maintenance activities to those requiring slightly more work. Depending on the activities chosen and completed, households could be eligible for a reimbursement of up to $5,500 to help with associated costs. The amount of reimbursement they could receive depended on the specific activities they undertook.

Approved applicants were required to provide proof of the work completed by June 30, 2026. This included before-and-after photos and, for some activities, receipts to be eligible for reimbursement. If their application was approved, they were provided with information on what their next steps were depending on which activities they had selected. 

Note: Activities completed before September 29, 2025, were not eligible for reimbursement.


Eligibility Criteria

The Wildfire Residential Mitigation Incentive Program was available to those who:

  • Had a primary residence in an area that was impacted by the 2016 wildfires in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB).
Applicants had to select from a list of eligible mitigation activities, tailored to different household types. The eligible activities were based on your household type, as outlined below:
 

Deadline to Apply

The application period was from September 29, 2025, to January 31, 2026. Approved activities had to be completed, and a final report, including receipts and photos, had to be submitted by June 30, 2026.


Important: Authentication Required

As part of the application process, some applicants may be asked to complete an authentication step to confirm their identity and verify that their primary residence is in the RMWB. This can include a video call with a program coordinator, where valid ID may be required. Please note that this process may take some time to complete.

Resources for All Applicants


Fraud Alert

FRAUD ALERT: Unfortunately, there are some people who may try to take advantage of those impacted by a disaster through fraudulent tactics. To protect yourself from fraud, it's important to understand the steps involved in receiving funds from the Canadian Red Cross. The Canadian Red Cross communicates only via email, phone, or in person and would never send a link through a text message. We will never ask for your social insurance number, bank account information, or credit card number during your application or to receive assistance. The Red Cross encourages people to stay informed from credible sources, such as the Government of Canada’s website for fraud prevention tips. If you suspect you have been a victim of fraudulent activity, please contact your local police authority.

Protect yourself from scams and fraud


Contact Us

If you have questions about the Residential Mitigation Incentive Program, please contact us at RMWBMitigation@redcross.ca or call and leave a message at 1-833- 966-4225. Someone will respond to you within two business days.


We want to hear from you

The Canadian Red Cross is always trying to improve our systems, processes, and programs. We encourage you to provide feedback on your experience or interactions with us.

If you would like to share any feedback or have questions, please email us at CRCfeedback3@redcross.ca. If you would like a response to your email, please ensure to include your full name, address, current phone number and as much detail and specifics as possible. These details will help us to better respond to your email.

For journalists and media outlets, please find a listing of all media contacts here.