The Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) has called last year’s wildfire season “a stark reminder” of the risks in Atlantic Canada as the association marks the first anniversary of the Tantallon wildfire.
Citing preliminary estimates from Catastrophe Indices and Quantification Inc., IBC pointed to the more than $165 million in insured damage caused by the May 28 to June 4, 2023, wildfire that hit Tantallon, Nova Scotia and parts of Halifax Regional Municipality.
The trade body also noted the separate Barrington Lake wildfire that started on May 27, 2023, before growing to 19,000 hectares in a couple of days.
According to IBC, more than 80% of claims related to the Tantallon wildfire have been completed.
Amanda Dean (pictured), IBC vice president for Ontario and Atlantic, stated: “It’s understandable for some residents to be feeling frustrated with the recovery timelines in the aftermath of the Tantallon wildfire, one of the most destructive insured events of last year’s unprecedented wildfire season.
“IBC’s member insurers are keen to see all claims in the community completed as quickly as possible. Insurers will continue to be there every step of the way until that happens.”
Homeowners impacted by the wildfires in Tantallon, Barrington, and Shelburne are encouraged to contact their insurance representatives or contact IBC’s Consumer Information Centre at 1-844-2ask-IBC for questions regarding auto, home, or business insurance.
“As cross-country, record-breaking wildfires become the norm every summer, all orders of government should focus their attention on reducing the risk of wildfire fatalities, as well as reducing the risk of destruction of property and displacement of people,” Dean added.
“To do this, governments need to take actions that have been proven to reduce vulnerability and exposure to wildfire by mandating and investing in wildfire protection for buildings and infrastructure.”
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