A burnt-out vehicle in front of a home that has been reduced to ashes on Paxton Valley Road, about 1 km east of Monte Lake and Highway 97. (Photo by Scottie Duncan)
The White Rock Lake fire is estimated to have caused $77 million in insured damage, according to initial estimates from the Insurance Bureau of Canada.
In announcing that figure, it says it is expecting over 800 claims to be made, the majority related to residential properties.
“Canada’s insurers are here to help the residents of Killiney Beach, Monte Lake, and other areas impacted by the White Rock Lake wildfire recover and rebuild following the devastation it has caused,” Aaron Sutherland, the Insurance Bureau of Canada’s vice-president of the Western and Pacific region said.
The figure is similar to the $78 million in insured damage caused by the wildfire which destroyed the village of Lytton on June 30.
Sutherland says wildfires which devastated B.C. this summer are a tragic reminder of the increasing risk facing communities across the province, and country, because of a changing climate. It is why he is again calling on all levels of government to prioritize investments that better protect families and communities.
“As we continue to see the increasing impacts of our changing climate, it’s clear much more must be done to create a culture of preparedness and build our resiliency to the risks we face,” Sutherland added, noting these financial costs are borne by insurers and taxpayers.
“We all must do better to prepare for wildfires, floods, heat, hail and windstorms. These perils are having an outsized impact on those most vulnerable and, as a result, we must greatly enhance our efforts to mitigate future change and adapt to the new weather reality we face.”
In a statement, he says British Columbia’s upcoming renewal of its Climate Adaptation Strategy is a chance for the province to become a leader in Canada in the area. He is also calling on the federal government to prioritize a national adaptation strategy including a high-risk flood insurance pool to address climate-related disasters like extreme heat, wildfires, floods, windstorms and hail.
“Increased collaboration across the public and private sector collaborate is essential to defending Canadians from these events,” Sutherland said.
If you’ve been impacted by the White Rock Lake fire or have questions about your home or business insurance, you’re asked to call your insurance representative or IBC’s Consumer Information Centre at 1-844-2ask-IBC.
White Rock Lake wildfire causes $77 million in insured damage: https://t.co/ClTa32ayLF #whiterockbc #BCwildfire #BCPoli pic.twitter.com/j5zgSRG25C
— IBC Pacific (@IBC_Pacific) September 23, 2021
