PORT COQUITLAM, BC – October 7, 2026… The City of Port Coquitlam has been awarded $103,630.63 through the FireSmart Community Funding and Supports program to begin building a formal FireSmart program. The grant is the City's first through the program and will fund Foundational FireSmart Activities and a new Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan (CWRP).
Every community in B.C. has its own wildfire considerations, and preparedness remains an important part of keeping Port Coquitlam residents, homes and infrastructure safe. The funding will help the City better understand its local wildfire risk, identify where to focus its efforts, and build a program that supports long-term community resilience.
"Wildfire risk is a concern in every community, and we need to understand its risks and be prepared," said Mayor Brad West. "This funding allows us to take a thoughtful, evidence-based approach, starting with a plan that shows us where our risks are and what we can do about them. It's about protecting our residents and neighbourhoods for years to come."
The grant will support several foundational activities, including:
Developing Port Coquitlam's first Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan, which will assess local wildfire risk and identify recommended actions and priorities
Working with neighbouring communities toward a Community FireSmart and Resiliency Collaborative to support regional coordination
Building internal FireSmart capacity within Port Coquitlam Fire & Emergency Services
Delivering FireSmart public education and community outreach
The CWRP will provide the foundation for future FireSmart work in Port Coquitlam and guide the City's priorities over the coming years. Project work will take place over the next year and is scheduled to be completed by September 2027.
Residents can learn simple steps to reduce wildfire risk around their homes at FireSmartBC.ca.
The City will share more information about its FireSmart work as the project progresses.
The FireSmart Community Funding and Supports program is administered by the Union of BC Municipalities and funded by the Province of BC.
-30-
