Brokers called to be more educated about wildfire risk amid Jasper catastrophe
Brokers called to be more educated about wildfire risk amid Jasper catastrophe | Insurance Business Canada
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Brokers called to be more educated about wildfire risk amid Jasper catastrophe
Jasper was ‘well-prepared’ for wildfire but more investment is needed
Insurance News
By
Gia Snape
Despite efforts by local agencies to prepare for a catastrophic wildfire, out-of-control blazes have forced more than 25,000 people out of Alberta’s Jasper National Park and around a third of the town was damaged or destroyed.
In a recent CBC News report, officials addressed criticism that more should have been done to prevent the widespread fire damage.
“Not only was the fire moving with the wind, but the air in front of that fire was being preheated by that flying debris making the fire go even faster,” Ron Hallman, Parks Canada president & CEO, told CBC News.
“There is nothing any human on Earth or any piece of equipment could have done standing in front of that wall of fire.”
Dr. Anabela Bonada (pictured), managing director of climate science at the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation, agreed Jasper’s preparations helped it curb some of the most extreme impacts of the fires.
However, the extent of the devastation also proves that Canadian communities need preparation and mitigation as climate events intensify.
“Jasper had already made significant efforts through initiatives like FireSmart and vegetation management, which likely mitigated the damage,” Dr. Bonada told Insurance Business. “I think there’s already quite a bit to be said about preparedness, but with that, we still need more.”
Are Canada’s adaptation efforts ‘late in the game’?
Dr. Bonada noted that flames observed in Jasper, up to 170 meters high, were unprecedented. Yet despite the wildfire’s intensity, two-thirds of the town was saved.
“Even with good preparation, we need to invest even more in preparedness going forward,” she stressed. “It’s hard to pinpoint the biggest lesson, as there’s still much to learn and more will be revealed as investigations continue.”
After committing to reducing greenhouse gas emissions during the 2015 Paris Agreement, Canada has taken steps to address climate change impacts. However, Dr. Bonada said that action towards building resilience and climate adaptation has lagged.
“The government’s release of the National Adaptation Strategy is a welcome step, but it’s late in the game. Because of this delay, significantly more funding is needed to better prepare our communities for the increasing frequency of extreme events,” she said.
The federal government has pledged $1.6 billion in its plan to improve Canada’s climate resilience through four approaches: resilient infrastructure; healthier communities; enhanced biodiversity and nature conservation; and an economy and workforce more resilient to climate change.
Brokers need more education on wildfire risk
The insurance sector is a crucial piece of the climate adaptation puzzle. Brokers, in particular, are uniquely positioned to educate homeowners and business owners about their wildfire risk.
“I’ve heard that after last year’s intense wildfire season, some brokers were mistakenly telling clients they couldn’t access wildfire insurance, even in low-risk areas,” Dr. Bonada said. “This highlights the need for better internal education to avoid miscommunication and ensure everyone understands the realities of wildfire risk.”
She noted growing concern over insurers pulling capacity from high-risk areas and urged insurance companies to do more to support communities. This starts with comprehensive education programs for their employees, brokers, and clients, including municipalities, to ensure a clear understanding of wildfire risk and available resources.
‘Two-pronged approach’ to wildfire resilience
Apart from increased investment in preparing Canadians for the growing threat of wildfire and other climate events, Dr. Bonada advocates for a “two-pronged” approach that educates both individuals and communities on wildfire risk.
“Reducing risk must happen at the community level because even if a homeowner takes all the right precautions, their home is still vulnerable if their neighbors or the broader community haven’t done the same,” said Dr. Bonada. “We need programs that inform homeowners and renters about both simple, low-cost measures and more complex solutions they can implement.”
In January this year, the Intact Centre published a comprehensive report to educate Canadian home and business owners and encourage them to take proactive steps to increase their resilience to wildfires.
“Wildfire is complex, and while you can’t stop an enormous fire in a drought-stricken, pest-damaged forest, there’s a lot that individuals can do around their homes to reduce risk,” said Dr. Bonada. “The key message is that we shouldn’t wait for catastrophes to act—there’s plenty we can do now to protect ourselves.”
At the same time, Dr. Bonada said municipalities should be guided on how to prioritize projects to reduce wildfire risk.
“It’s crucial for all levels of government and industry to collaborate and provide the necessary tools to help communities become more resilient,” she added.
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