Military help in Pikangikum First Nation being ‘drawn down’ as wildfire slows
June 5, 2019 THE CANADIAN PRESSPIKANGIKUM, Ont. – The Canadian Armed Forces says military help is being “drawn down” in a remote northwestern Ontario First Nation as a wildfire that triggered the evacuation of vulnerable residents slows its spread. Second Lt. Christopher Dube says in…
Is climate change to blame for Alberta wildfires?
June 3, 2019 by Jason ContantIs climate change causing the massive wildfires that are burning out of control in Alberta, which are now reportedly nearing half the size of the 2016 Fort McMurray wildfire? Not on its own, but climate change can mean a fire…
Wildfire destroys homes in Alberta Metis settlement
May 31, 2019 by Greg MeckbachMore than a dozen homes in a northern Alberta Metis community have been destroyed by an aggressive wildfire and there are concerns that more properties may be consumed. “It’s like a burnt piece of toast up there,” said Blake Desjarlais…
Brokers concerned about blanket approach to binding authority restrictions
May 31, 2019 by Jason ContantWith wildfires raging in northern Alberta and Ontario, brokers are reporting some funky outcomes associated with insurers’ binding authority restrictions. Under the restrictions, brokers cannot bind coverage in areas under civil authority, forest fire alerts, flood alerts and certain earthquake…
Wildfires force more people out of their homes in northern Alberta
May 30, 2019 THE CANADIAN PRESSMore people are being forced from their homes as several wildfires rage out-of-control in northern Alberta and blanket areas to the south in an acrid haze. The Alberta government issued an emergency alert early this morning for Chipewyan Lake Village,…
Alberta wildfire continues to grow, but spreading away from threatened community
May 29, 2019 THE CANADIAN PRESSHIGH LEVEL, Alta. A forest fire burning near a northern Alberta town has grown slightly, but officials say firefighters are making good progress. The Chuckegg Creek fire, currently the largest in the province, was still about three kilometres southwest of…
Calgary house explosion believed not accidental
May 28, 2019 THE CANADIAN PRESSCALGARY – Documents show that a Calgary house where there was a deadly explosion over the weekend was owned by a couple going through a divorce. Police responded to reports of an explosion on Saturday afternoon and found two people…
Where wildfire and flood risk is higher this summer
May 27, 2019 David Friend - THE CANADIAN PRESSThe weather this summer could be starkly different across the country, according to the latest long range forecast from The Weather Network. Chief meteorologist Chris Scott predicts the wet weather that Ontario and Quebec have experienced in May will continue…
This restoration contracting acquisition should close by summer
May 24, 2019 by Greg MeckbachFirstOnSite and Paul Davis will have the same corporate owner if a deal announced Thursday goes through but will operate separately from one another. FirstOnSite Restoration Limited announced May 23 that its corporate parent, Global Restoration Holdings LLC, agreed to…
How Chuckegg Creek Wildfire could affect Canadian insurers
May 23, 2019 by Greg MeckbachThe wildfire affecting northern Alberta is much larger than the one that devastated Slave Lake in 2011 but property losses seemed minimal on Thursday afternoon. “At this point we are hearing there are no major structures that have been lost,”…
Why your clients may not be covered when there’s an active wildfire
May 21, 2019 by Jason ContantWith wildfire season already underway in Alberta and British Columbia, brokers will be looking at how insurance can help their clients mitigate any losses. But brokers and clients alike may not know that the ability to bind coverage could be…
Winds helping in battle against fire threatening northern Alberta town
May 21, 2019 THE CANADIAN PRESSHIGH LEVEL, Alta. – Fire officials say the winds continue to be favourable as crews battle a large wildfire burning a few kilometres from a northwestern Alberta town. Nearly 5,000 people have cleared out of High Level and nearby First…