B.C. Fires Wreak Multi-Million Dollar Losses

In what is reported to be the worst forest fire to hit B.C. in the past 50 years, a widespread blaze has caused the evacuation of several towns and even invaded into neighboring Alberta. Although damage is expected to run into millions of dollars, the raging flames have restricted operation of emergency crews and denied […]

July 31, 2003 | Last updated on October 1, 2024
2 min read
Forest fires rage near McLure, BC, in late July. A province-wide state of emergency was declared and thousands of residents evacuated.
Forest fires rage near McLure, BC, in late July. A province-wide state of emergency was declared and thousands of residents evacuated.

In what is reported to be the worst forest fire to hit B.C. in the past 50 years, a widespread blaze has caused the evacuation of several towns and even invaded into neighboring Alberta. Although damage is expected to run into millions of dollars, the raging flames have restricted operation of emergency crews and denied adjusters access to the affected areas to ascertain the real damage.

As of the first week of August, about 335 fires still burned, including major blazes in Strawberry Hill, McLure and Chilko Lake. Fires are also spreading into areas of Alberta.

Fires near Kamloops, B.C., forced the evacuation of thousands, and threatened a nearby sawmill. Insurers face the loss of at least 80 homes plus the mill and its equipment, confirms Lindsay Olsen, regional vice president for the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC). Not only will insurers be paying out on property losses, but “evacuation cover” will also come into effect. There are also a number of boats and trailers from seasonal residents that may be affected. “Nobody can get to the site yet,” she notes as of early August. “People don’t even know if their house is gone or not.”

Olsen adds that hundreds of fires continue to rage and more could be on the way. “It’s the situation with the weather right now. It’s hot, it’s dry, and there are a lot of lightening strikes.” Generally, property policies cover fire damage as well as potentially covering living expenses for those under evacuation order from the government. “Our industry takes our obligations in these situations very seriously, and we will be doing everything we can to help just as quickly as possible.”