Municipal Wildfire Assistance Program

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Municipal Wildfire Assistance Program
Disaster Recovery Program

Overview

The Municipal Wildfire Assistance Program (MWAP) is a provincewide program designed to provide financial assistance to local authority applicants (Municipalities and Metis Settlements) who incur extraordinary incremental costs in the suppression of wildfires outside Alberta’s Forest Protection Area.

The term wildfire includes any unwanted or unplanned natural or human-caused wildland fire that burns in forested, grassland or other vegetative areas outside the Forest Protection Area.

Programs

2021 MD of Willow Creek Municipal Wildfire Assistance Program

Eligibility

Eligible costs

For a list of eligible costs and program details, refer to the MWAP guidelines.

Ineligible costs

The program does not cover costs:

that could have been reasonably prevented or avoided
that were covered by insurance
that could likely be recovered through legal action
that could be recovered through other government programs
for fires occurring on unoccupied public land
for the suppression of structural fires
for damage to property, like structures or landscaping

Local authority applicants

To be considered for eligibility, the applicants’ costs to action the wildfire or series of wildfires within the provincial fiscal year (April 1 to March 31) must exceed the $25 per-capita threshold. Applicants are expected to keep accurate and detailed financial records on the costs associated with wildfires.

The official population figures published by Alberta Municipal Affairs in the preceding fiscal year will be used to determine per capita costs.

Eligibility

A local authority is eligible for MWAP assistance if they:

have advised the Alberta Emergency Management Agency (AEMA) of the fire and potential MWAP application as soon as is reasonably possible
are unable to recover all of the costs through another government program or legal action
have requested assistance from the local Forest Area Manager (if appropriate) at the earliest practicable time

Local authorities must demonstrate that they have implemented wildfire prevention initiatives that show they have:

Mutual Aid Agreements with neighbouring communities, industrial fire departments (where available), and the local Forest Area Manager
implemented a fire permit program
implemented a wildfire awareness program (for example, Fire Smart) which encourages the community and residents to take mitigated steps to protect their homes and property from the threat of wildfire
ensured that one or more personnel from their fire department has taken wildfire management courses approved by the local Forest Area Manager
implemented an infrared scanning program for the detection and subsequent follow-up or action winter holdover burning

Once a local authority applicant has determined that it has incurred costs in excess of $25 per capita, they should contact the AEMA.

Complete the application form for Municipal Wildfire Assistance Program.

For more information, contact the AEMA Field Officer in your area or email [email protected].