Canmore Offers $5,000 for Fire-Resistant Roofs, But Some Residents May Already Be Too Late

Canmore homeowners can apply for up to $5,000 to replace their roofs with fire-resistant materials, as part of a new town incentive aimed at lowering wildfire risk.

The Roof Replacement Incentive Program is open now until March 31, and is funded through $100,000 from Intact Financial Corporation’s Municipal Climate Resiliency Grant program.

The town says the incentive is designed to help homeowners replace highly flammable roofing, including wood or cedar shakes, or other roof materials rated Class C or below.

Nicky Pacas, communications advisor for the Town of Canmore, said these roofing materials are “particularly vulnerable to wind-borne embers during a wildfire.”

FireSmart Canada describes the roof as the most vulnerable part of a home during wildfire, noting that sparks and embers can travel long distances and quickly ignite flammable roofing. 

How the incentive works

For single-family homes, duplexes and triplexes, the town will cover 50% of eligible costs, up to $5,000, as long as the replacement uses Class A roofing materials. Condo buildings with four or more units can receive 50%, up to $10,000, if the entire roof is replaced and the building is managed by a condo board. 

The incentive is not retroactive for existing or in-progress roof replacements, and only homeowners, not tenants, can apply for single-family homes, duplexes and triplexes, the town says. 

Who is eligible

To qualify, homes must be in Canmore and occupied as a primary residence, and applicants must already have a FireSmart Home Assessment completed within the last three years that recommends roof replacement. 

Because FireSmart home assessments cannot be done in winter, eligibility for the 2026 incentive is limited to residents with an existing assessment completed between 2023 and 2025, the town says. 

Pacas said residents were notified in fall 2025 that the incentive would launch in 2026 and were encouraged to book an assessment before winter in order to qualify.

What happens if too many people apply

If demand exceeds available funding, the town’s program page says it will prioritize:

• homes with wood or cedar shakes, or other roofs rated Class C or below

• homes occupied full-time by owners or tenants

• applicants who have completed other FireSmart recommendations

• applicants who have participated in the Neighbourhood Recognition Program

The online application form also outlines a two-stage lottery process if the program is oversubscribed. It says the first lottery will include applicants who meet at least one of the criteria above, followed by a second lottery for remaining applicants if funding is still available. 

What you need to apply

Applicants must submit:

• proof of a FireSmart assessment recommending roof replacement

• a quote from a roofing company

• for multi-family buildings, a letter or email from the condo board confirming support 

If selected, the town says applicants will be notified by April 15. Roof replacements must be completed between April 16, 2026 and July 1, 2027. 

If you are not eligible this year

Pacas encouraged residents who do not qualify to keep taking steps to reduce wildfire risk at home, including joining with neighbours through the town’s Neighbourhood Recognition Program, which focuses on neighbourhood-level action to reduce wildfire risk. 

More information, including the application link and program requirements, is available on the Town of Canmore website. Residents with questions can contact [email protected], the town says.