The RM of Rockwood is ramping up proactive measures to help prevent wildfires, thanks to a $9,500 grant provided to the municipality.
The rural municipality is receiving a wildfire prevention grant through the Wawanesa Climate Champions program. These grants support critical prevention and mitigation efforts.
“We’re absolutely thrilled and grateful to receive this grant. It’s a great opportunity for us to enhance public safety and awareness in a creative and engaging way,” said Rockwood Reeve Wes Taplin.
“This support reflects the importance of proactive emergency preparedness in our region. We were one of 12 grants across Canada and one of two in Manitoba, to my knowledge.”
The funding will go towards creating a series of educational films designed to raise public awareness about fire safety and emergency preparedness.
“These films will feature our own local fire departments and emergency measures departments, highlighting the essential work they do and the ways our residents can stay safe,” Taplin said.
“Filming will begin shortly, with the goal of having the project completed and ready to share with the public by the fall. The project will involve our fire departments, emergency management teams and other local community representatives.”
This initiative is about more than just information — it’s about connection and preparedness.
“By using real people from our communities and focusing on local context, we hope to deliver messages that really resonate. The series will empower residents with the knowledge they need to respond safely and confidently in emergency situations, which is critical in minimizing risks and saving lives,” he said.
“Some key tips include creating a defensible space around your home by clearing brush and debris, ensuring address signs are clearly visible for first responders, having an evacuation plan in place and never leaving open flames unattended. We’ll be covering many more of these tips in the videos.”
Taplin added that there’s been a noticeable increase in wildfire activity over the past few seasons due to drier conditions and climate factors.
“This has underscored the urgent need for widespread public education and preparedness,” he said.
“We’re excited to bring this project to life and want to thank everyone involved — from our emergency personnel to the community members supporting us. Public safety is a shared responsibility, and this project is a step forward in strengthening that collective effort.”
This marks the third straight year Wawanesa has provided Community Wildfire Prevention Grants, which were developed in collaboration with FireSmart Canada and the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction.
“Community involvement is the cornerstone of implementing FireSmart principles,” said Lisa Walker, director of resiliency and partnerships at the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre, which operates FireSmart Canada.
“Actions taken at both the individual and community level will help reduce wildland fire risk for yourself, your family and your neighbours. No task is too large when communities work together to reduce their shared wildland fire risk.”
Paul Kovacs, executive director of the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction, noted that last year saw the loss of about one-third of the town of Jasper in an aggressive, fast-moving wildfire.
“Many Canadian communities that are at risk of a similar fate are small and have few resources to be able to address the risk effectively,” he said.
“Wawanesa’s Community Wildfire Prevention Grants have helped many of these communities over the last three years deal with this risk by helping to fund key fire mitigation projects.”
Jackie De Pape Hornick, director of communications and community impact at Wawanesa, said resilience is key to safeguarding homes, farms and businesses since wildfires are becoming an ever-growing threat across the country.
“We’re proud to partner with these local organizations, helping them to take proactive steps to make the places they live and work safer,” she said.
“After all, as a Canadian owned and operated mutual insurer, we don’t just serve these communities — we’re part of them.”
A Level 2 burn ban is currently in effect in the RM of Rockwood. Fires are only allowed in approved receptacles. No open-air fires are allowed.
