The Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture, is announcing a record number of recipients for the 2025 Wildfire Community Preparedness Day Award. The initiative empowers Canadians to proactively increase the resilience of their homes, neighborhoods and communities from wildfires.
Wildfire Community Preparedness Day occurs annually on the first Saturday of May. There is a notable increase in community participation this year, with a total of 44 municipalities, fire departments, and community organizations across Newfoundland and Labrador receiving funding. This impressive increase from 13 recipients in 2024 and 10 in 2023 highlights growing community awareness of, and dedication to wildfire preparedness. A full list of recipients by region is available in the backgrounder below.
Each recipient receives $500 to support local projects aimed at reducing wildfire risks through education, mitigation activities, and community involvement. Wildfire experts from the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture continue to work closely with recipients to provide guidance and resources to enhance their wildfire resilience efforts.
Communities are encouraged to host events emphasizing wildfire prevention and risk reduction, such as demonstrating safe firewood storage practices and neighborhood cleanups aimed at removing dry brush and other flammable materials.
In its tenth year, the program is administered by FireSmart Canada in collaboration with provincial and territorial partners, Cooperators Insurance, and the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction.
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“The Provincial Government is pleased to continue its collaboration with FireSmart Canada and its partners to support Wildfire Community Preparedness Day. With a record number of award recipients this year, we are ready to keep spreading the message of forest fire prevention and helping residents better protect their homes and properties from the risk of wildfire. I commend all recipients for their commitment to wildfire safety and community resilience.”
Honourable Gerry Byrne
Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture
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BACKGROUNDER
2025 Wildfire Community Preparedness Day Award Recipients
| Western Newfoundland | Central
Newfoundland |
Eastern
Newfoundland |
Labrador |
| Deer Lake Fire Rescue
Town of Norris Point
City of Corner Brook Fire Department
Codroy Valley Volunteer Fire Department
Rocky Harbour
Community of Sheaves Cove
Town of Conche
St. Barbe
Town of Roddickton-Bide Arm
Hughes Brook, Irishtown-Summerside Fire Department |
Town of Buchans
Gander Fire Rescue
Point Leamington Volunteer Fire Department
Town of Beachside
Town of Coachman’s Cove
Indian Bay Ecosystem Corporation
Laurenceton Local Service District and Volunteer Fire Dept
Bishop’s Falls Fire Department
Local Service District of Burnside-St.Chad’s
Gander Bay Fire Department
Random West Volunteer Fire Department
Botwood Fire Department
Hermitage Sandyville Fire Department |
St. John’s Regional Fire Department
Conception Bay South Fire Department
Conception Harbour Come By Chance Fire Department
Trepassey Volunteer Fire Department
Town of Heart’s Desire
Lord’s Cove Fire Department
Town of Renews-Cappahyden
Trinity South Central Fire Department
Lawn Volunteer Fire Department
Grand Bank Marystown Volunteer Fire Department
Grand Le Pierre Fire Department
Point May Fire Department
Town of Mount Carmel-Mitchell’s Brook-St. Catherine’s
Victoria Volunteer Fire Department |
Town of Happy Valley – Goose Bay Fire Department
Mary’s Harbour Town Council
Lodge Bay Volunteer Fire Department
Port Hope Simpson Volunteer Fire Department
Charlottetown Volunteer Fire Department |