Keyword
wildfires
B.C. wildfire season now second worst in province’s history
August 27, 2018 The Canadian PressVICTORIA – A year after the single worst season for wildfires in British Columbia’s history, government statistics indicate the 2018 wildfire season has already reached the second-worst mark, burning more than 9,450 square kilometres of land so far. That should…
How smoke from B.C. wildfires affects this industry
August 24, 2018 Beth Leighton - THE CANADIAN PRESSVANCOUVER – Winemakers can only hope the scent of smoke that’s in the air across British Columbia from wildfires won’t swirl in the glass once this year’s vintages have been bottled. Smoke-shrouded grapes can give an ashy, bitter flavour to…
B.C. declares provincial state of emergency over wildfires
August 15, 2018 The Canadian PressVICTORIA – The British Columbia government has declared a provincial state of emergency to support the response to the hundreds of wildfires burning across the province. The state of emergency will remain in effect for 14 days, but can be…
Should Canada reconsider how it finances wildfire suppression?
August 13, 2018 by Jason ContantAs hundreds of wildfires burn across British Columbia, one disaster mitigation expert is recommending that Canada reconsiders how it finances fire suppression costs. Last year, B.C. alone paid out more than $560 million in fire suppression costs, and it is…
Wildfires ravage 30-45% of structures in B.C. community
August 8, 2018 The Canadian PressVANCOUVER – Wildfires have ravaged 27 structures in Telegraph Creek, representing 30 to 45 per cent of buildings in the small northwestern British Columbia community, officials say. Tahltan Band Chief Rick McLean said in a video posted to Facebook on…
Ask B.C. residents if they are covered for wildfire. 25% will tell you this…
March 21, 2018 by Jason ContantAs many as 25% of British Columbians say they don’t know if they have insurance for wildfire and severe weather emergencies, according to a survey released Monday by the provincial public safety ministry. Fewer than half of British Columbians have…
B.C. lacks climate change policies, especially on wildfires and flooding: audit
February 15, 2018 The Canadian Press (CPSTF)VANCOUVER – British Columbia’s auditor general says the provincial government is working to adapt to the risks posed by climate change but it has no clear plan for wildfires and flooding. Carol Bellringer says there is little monitoring of progress…
Insurers, society face irreversible climate change: reinsurance board exec
December 19, 2017 Greg Meckbach, Associate EditorWildfires that hit British Columbia earlier this year and that continue to affect California are among the effects of climate change, says Karen Gavan, former CEO of Waterloo, Ont.-based Economical Insurance. “Literally California has been burning all fall,” said Gavan,…
Man ordered to pay $41K in fines for starting wildfires in northern Saskatchewan
November 29, 2017 The Canadian Press (CPSTF)LA RONGE, Sask. – A man who admitted he started several wildfires in northern Saskatchewan by flicking lit wooden matches into the forest has been fined tens of thousands of dollars. Donald Halkett Jr. recently appeared in La Ronge provincial…
California wildfires could cost insurers up to US$8 billion: Aon Benfield
November 9, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterHistoric wildfires in portions of California last month could cost insurers as much as US$8 billion, according to Aon Benfield’s Global Catastrophe Recap for October. The report, released on Thursday by Impact Forecasting, the catastrophe modelling development centre of Aon…
California asks US for $7.4 billion for wildfire rebuilding
November 6, 2017 Olga R. Rodriguez - THE ASSOCIATED PRESSSAN FRANCISCO – California Gov. Jerry Brown and lawmakers asked the U.S. government Friday for $7.4 billion to help rebuild after a cluster of fires tore through the heart of wine country, killing more than 40 people and leaving thousands…
Insured losses from October wildfires top $3 billion, California insurance department reports
November 2, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterInsured losses from California’s October wildfires now top US$3 billion – a three-fold increase in just two weeks – according to updated claims loss data from the California Department of Insurance. Fifteen major insurers reported the updated $3.32 billion estimate…