Keyword
wildfire
Alberta fire chiefs want provincial wildfire plan released before season begins
February 1, 2024 The Canadian PressEDMONTON – Alberta’s fire chiefs are “urgently” asking the provincial government to explain how it’s getting ready for the upcoming wildfire season and to release its preparedness strategy. “There is a growing concern among fire chiefs across the province of…
More than 100 wildfires still burning after B.C.’s record wildfire season
January 17, 2024 Ashley Joannou - The Canadian PressMore than 100 wildfires are still listed as burning in British Columbia thanks to a combination of a busy wildfire season, extreme drought and generally warmer and drier conditions through December. Forrest Tower of the BC Wildfire Service said that…
Wildfires in Alberta burned 10 times more area in 2023 than the five-year average
January 5, 2024 Colette Derworiz - THE CANADIAN PRESSAlberta Wildfire says it saw an average number of wildfires last year, but the area burned across the province set a record. The province saw a total of 1,088 wildfires that burned about 22,000 square kilometres from March 1 to…
Homeowners discuss the high insurance costs of wildfires
January 2, 2024 Michael Tutton - THE CANADIAN PRESSHALIFAX – Seven months after a wildfire left a charred, 1,000-hectare scar on the western suburbs of Halifax, less visible damage persists in the lives of those who lost their homes to the flames. Lindsay Law said the financial and…
How insurers can manage losses as NatCat events ramp up
December 18, 2023 Philip PoradoWhatever’s driving increasingly devastating storms over the past decade, one thing is certain — insurers have watched NatCat losses ramp up over the past decade. “It used to be an unusual year where you’d have more than a billion dollars…
Quebec to improve forest fire adaptation after record-breaking wildfire season
November 15, 2023 The Canadian PressQuebec’s forest fire prevention agency says the area burned by wildfires this year was greater than the previous 20 years combined. SOPFEU director general Eric Rousseau told reporters today that some 4.5 million hectares of land burned during this year’s…
Quebec mayor, 23, resigns mid-mandate due to burnout from managing wildfires
November 9, 2023 The Canadian PressCHAPAIS, Que. – One of Quebec’s youngest mayors announced Wednesday she will be stepping down next week, suffering the effects of burnout from handling last summer’s historic wildfire season in her northern community. Isabelle Lessard was acclaimed in 2021 as…
Ontario adds $20.5 million in funding to fight wildfires, including for training and drones
October 12, 2023 The Canadian PressTIMMINS, Ont. – Ontario’s natural resources and forestry minister says the government will spend an additional $20.5 million over three years to help fight wildfires. Graydon Smith, making an announcement in Timmins, Ont., says this recent fire season has been…
NDP introduces disaster management bill as B.C. legislature opens
October 3, 2023 The Canadian PressVICTORIA – New disaster management legislation has been introduced in British Columbia on the first day of the fall legislative session that will see four official parties in the chamber. Emergency Management Minister Bowinn Ma said Tuesday the legislation will…
State of emergency lifted 1.5 months after McDougall Creek wildfire
September 29, 2023 The Canadian PressWEST KELOWNA, B.C. – Central Okanagan Emergency Operations has lifted the state of local emergency in West Kelowna, B.C., more than a month after the McDougall Creek wildfire devastated the area. It says it has also rescinded all remaining evacuation…
Fire danger drops as cooler weather eases B.C.’s wildfire season
September 27, 2023 The Canadian PressVANCOUVER – The British Columbia Wildfire Service says the fire danger rating across most of the province has dropped to low or very low as cool, damp fall weather arrives. The wildfire service says there have been no new fires…
400+ wildfires continue to burn across B.C. as new evacuation orders issued
September 18, 2023 The Canadian PressWILLIAMS LAKE, B.C. – An evacuation order has been issued by Cariboo Regional District for 28 properties in the Horn Lake Area in central British Columbia. This comes as the BC Wildfire Service says fire behaviour on the nearby Hell…