Vegetative management and replacement for wildfire resilience
Guidance, costing and examples for municipalities
CLIMATE ADAPTATION
Thinning vegetation, clearing debris and accumulated deadfall, and using the natural topography that surrounds a community can create protective barriers that slow wildfire spread. For small and rural Canadian communities, vegetative management and replacement is a cost-effective, visible intervention that lowers exposure while improving safety for residents and responders.
It can also provide opportunities for community engagement and the integration of Indigenous fire stewardship practices into local climate resilience strategies.
This guidance outlines key steps, best practices, costing information and case studies to help municipalities plan and deliver vegetative management and replacement projects.
Key steps for successful implementation
- Consult local experts: Coordinate with provincial/territorial wildfire agencies, Indigenous communities and land managers to align with permitting requirements
- Manage vegetation: Remove deadwood, prune low branches and thin fuel loads using hand tools, mechanical clearing or prescribed fire
- Ensure firefighting access: Design zones with pathways or clearings so crews can operate safely during fire events
- Plan for maintenance: Schedule monitoring and re-treat areas every few years (more often after storms or beetle outbreaks)
Best practices for design and delivery
- Prioritize strategic locations: Focus vegetative management efforts on areas of highest risk, such as community perimeters, evacuation routes and critical infrastructure
- Integrate topography: Align management zones with the landscape to maximize effectiveness and minimize costs
- Prioritize low-maintenance plants: Use drought-resistant, native, pest-resistant and non-invasive species to ensure sustainability
- Integrate ecosystem co-benefits: Pair vegetation clearing with invasive species removal
Equity and community considerations
- Apply Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK): Integrate Indigenous Knowledge of fire patterns, plant cycles and natural cues to guide where and how to conduct vegetative management and replacement (avoid removing plants or features with cultural significance during vegetation replacement projects)
- Incorporate public engagement opportunities: Facilitate volunteer programs to build awareness and community
- Encourage local employment: Engage local contractors and nurseries to stimulate community economy during vegetation projects
Costing and budgeting information
Vegetation management projects typically cost $5,000–$15,000 per hectare, depending on site condition and scope.
Key cost drivers include site mapping and design, community engagement and communications, physical work (e.g., vegetation removal, thinning, pruning), and PPE and other types of equipment for crews.
To help reduce overall costs:
- Leverage community volunteers for vegetation thinning and monitoring, providing honoraria for equity-deserving groups
- Schedule work during off-peak seasons to reduce contractor and equipment rental costs
Case studies and lessons learned
- Volunteer-led vegetation clearing (Napatak, Saskatchewan, 2023)
Residents in Napatak organized a community-driven effort to clear flammable vegetation around homes. Supported by FireSmart principles and guidance, volunteers created defensible spaces and buffer zones to reduce wildfire risk. This initiative demonstrated how small northern communities can mobilize local resources effectively without relying on large budgets or costly contractors.
Lesson learned: Volunteer mobilization makes vegetation management feasible and cost-effective, even with limited financial resources.
- Blood Tribe fire guardianship program (Alberta, 2022)
The Blood Tribe in Alberta launched a fire guardianship program to protect community sites from wildfire risk. This initiative combined Traditional Ecological Knowledge with other fire management practices, creating buffer zones and reducing hazardous vegetation. The community demonstrated a holistic approach to fire safety that respects cultural values while meeting mandated resilience standards.
Lesson learned: Indigenous-led programs can enhance wildfire safety with an approach that integrates Traditional Knowledge with modern fire management, sustaining cultural stewardship.
*Note: The case studies included on this page are for informational purposes and were not supported by the Green Municipal Fund.
Additional resources
Canadian wildland fire prevention and mitigation strategy (Canadian Council of Forest Ministers) – This national framework emphasizes vegetation management as a core component of wildfire prevention. It outlines strategies for creating defensible spaces, reducing fuel loads and integrating Indigenous partnerships for land stewardship. It provides actionable steps for community-level vegetation control and highlights funding opportunities for prevention projects.
Critical infrastructure guide (FireSmart) – This video resource focuses on protecting essential infrastructure—such as utilities, clinics and emergency services—through strategic buffer zones and vegetation management. It includes examples of infrastructure-specific risk assessments and FireSmart design principles.
Crown land wildfire risk reduction planning guide (Province of British Columbia) – This comprehensive planning guide supports professionals in designing and implementing fuel management projects on Crown land. It includes detailed methodologies for site assessment, project design, regulatory compliance and monitoring, with a focus on buffer zones and ecological integrity.
Explore more wildfire resilience activities
Learn about other wildfire resilience project types and how they can support your community:
Return to the Wildfire Resilience Toolkit for Municipalities
Related toolkits
GMF offers additional toolkits to support municipalities facing different climate risks.
Glossary
Fuel-reduced buffer zone: A cleared or thinned area around structures to slow wildfire spread and reduce ignition risk
Defensible space: A managed zone around buildings that allows firefighters to defend against wildfires safely
Vegetation management: The process of pruning, thinning or removing plants to reduce fire fuel loads
Prescribed fire: A controlled burn used to reduce vegetation and wildfire risk safely
Topography integration: Designing buffer zones to align with natural land features like ridgelines and watercourses
Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK): Indigenous knowledge systems that guide land stewardship, fire patterns and ecological resilience
FireSmart: A Canadian program offering best practices for wildfire prevention and community safety
Personal protective equipment (PPE): Safety gear used by crews during vegetation clearing and fire mitigation work.
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