Thursday May 29, 2025 | VICTORIA, BC
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
As the 2025 wildfire season takes hold, Westland Insurance has released an essential guide to wildfire preparedness and recovery.
The guide is intended to educate Canadians to take immediate steps to safeguard their families, car, homes, and businesses, helping them face the season with greater resilience and confidence.
Westland Insurance said in their news release today that multiple wildfires are being monitored across the country.
Currently both Saskatchewan and Manitoba are currently called a State of Emergency regarding wildfire threats on communities.
In 2024, British Columbia faced its fourth largest wildfire season, with over 1.08 million hectares burned.
Insurance impacts:
Obviously the cost of insurance has been going up as claims have been made over recent years for the property impacts of wildfires on people’s homes and property.
The guide intends to provide practical, easy-to-understand advice on how to prepare for, respond to, and recover from wildfires.
Adjunct to government-level wildfire education:
For many years the provincial government and local government fire department and emergency preparedness initiatives have been providing information to homeowners and the public about being wildfire aware. In BC, the BC Wildfire Service has their FireSmart program.
Fire Departments and municipalities hold FireSmart information events.
Homeowner’s Guide contents:
The Wildfire preparedness: A homeowner’s guide by Westland Insurance includes:
- Prevention tips on making homes more fire-resistant by creating a wildfire protection plan, including effective landscaping and securing entry points.
- Detailed steps for preparing an emergency kit tailored to individual family or business requirements.
- Suggestions for staying informed with real-time wildfire updates and evacuation notices in each province.
- Advice on actions to take during necessary evacuations and accessing emergency support.
“Westland Insurance is committed to helping Canadians stay one step ahead this wildfire season,” the insurance company states in their May 29, 2025 news release.
Westland says with the release of its wildfire guide, the company is “empowering individuals and businesses to take meaningful action before, during, and after a wildfire”.
“Whether it’s reviewing insurance coverage, navigating the claims process, or simply knowing where to start, Westland’s trusted advisors are available to support local communities in protecting what matters most and rebuilding with confidence,” says the large insurance company that is based in Surrey, BC, calling itself a Canadian-based company.
Trading over $4 billion of premium, Westland continues to expand coast to coast, saying their support local communities, Canadian jobs and a strong economy.
===== RELATED:
NEWS SECTIONS: EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS | BUSINESS & ECONOMY | LIVING WITH CLIMATE CHANGE | WILDFIRE MANAGEMENT | FORESTRY
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