Picture the scenario where you must suddenly abandon everything, gather your children and evacuate your work and home.
This fear of leaving home or community is shared by 63 per cent of Canadians, as revealed in a spring survey conducted by First Onsite Property Restoration. In the Weather and Property Survey, Canadian residents also admit having fears about wildfires (62 per cent) and wildfire smoke (66 per cent).
Three quarters of Canadians are worried about climate change and how it is affecting the severity of wildfires. Additionally, two-thirds of Canadians believe climate change is driving up the cost of their home and business insurance.
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These fears are becoming more of a reality. Alberta recently issued a fire ban for an entire forest protection area due to extreme temperatures, and a ring of wildfires has erupted around Canada’s oilsands capital of Fort McMurray.
A number of new fires have ignited in Alberta and British Columbia since July 8.
Whenever we get a major fire close to homes or businesses, there is a risk of evacuation and a looming threat of business interruption. The early start and frequency of this year’s fires is notable and the unpredictability of these blazes is concerning to many in the region.
The number one piece of preparedness advice is awareness – always listen to authorities. If a community is on evacuation alert, residents must be ready to go, equipped with a full tank of gas and a packed bag. Moving quickly can protect lives.
For businesses, preparation can be a complex matter but is an important step toward mitigating risk and minimizing impact of a wildfire.
We often see particulate levels in the air that are 30 or 40 times the normal safe limit because of wildfire smoke, even though the fire can be 1,000 kilometres away.
In 2023, both Edmonton and Calgary set new records for “smoke hours,” according to Environment Canada numbers.
For business owners, employees and residents, breathing in wildfire smoke can be dangerous, and providing clean air for employees, customers, tenants and residents is a priority. Employers can take steps to protect workers by allowing flexible work schedules on low air quality days and installing additional air scrubbing equipment.
Much discussion and action has taken place to protect, prepare and build communities to be more resilient to fires.
New building technology includes paperless materials, mould-resistant and more sustainable materials such as steel-shake roofing. Fire resistant external building materials such as wood-free landscaping are being used.
Wildfires have also highlighted the risks of fire and smoke damage to commercial and residential properties. Residents and business owners can protect their lives, properties and assets from wildfire by making the roof fire-resistant, clearing gutter debris, removing nearby coniferous trees, pruning trees and keeping the lawn mowed, using fire smart landscaping and creating an evacuation plan.
Additionally, it’s critical to ensure adequate insurance coverage. Of note, 60 per cent of Canadians in the survey were concerned about whether their insurance was at the right level. Policyholders should check their policies or ask their insurance representative to confirm their limit.
Ultimately, catastrophes provide an occasion to reshape our thinking about how communities are planned and built. While community planners consider how development can coexist with natural areas, communities can plan for events and take steps to prepare in advance to protect properties, reduce business interruption and safeguard lives.
Jim Mandeville is senior vice-president, large loss, with First Onsite Property Restoration.
