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Coquitlam staff has been conducting assessments for the past month at homes in the northeast section of the city, where urban neighbourhoods meets wildlands and forests.
As there's a greater risk for property damage should wildfires spark, the city is giving homeowners a chance to receive a free FireSmart BC assessment.
And grant funding for upgrades and improvements could be available if completed before Thursday (March 17).
"Property owners play an important role in reducing the risk to their homes and neighbourhoods by taking steps such as removing potential fuel sources and choosing fire-resistant building materials," explains Coquitlam fire chief Jim Ogloff.
"The program goal is to help homeowners to adopt practices that reduce the risk of wildfire damage to their homes and property."
Coquitlam wildland-urban residents that choose to make their properties 'FireSmart' may be eligible for grant funding if they complete the improvements to their home before April 29.
Ogloff said financial support is also available for seniors aged 65 and older that wish to make those changes.
A final overview would then be completed by May 31.
The free assessments are part of a combined $496,600 grant from the B.C.'s FireSmart Economic Recovery Fund — shared between Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Anmore and Belcarra.
Combined, the four communities have about 5,000 properties that border heavily forested areas at greater risk for wildfires.
The money is earmarked for cost-effective ways to mitigate those risks, such as the hiring of FireSmart educators to conduct outreach programs.
For more information on FireSmart assessments, you're encouraged to visit the City of Coquitlam's website.
A map is also available on Coquitlam's Northeast Sector page if residents are unsure if their home is located in a classified wildland-urban interface area.
