Written by Jenny Hagan WestCentralonline.com

Insured damage from wildfires that swept across Manitoba and Saskatchewan this spring and summer is approaching $300 million, according to estimates released Thursday by Catastrophe Indices and Quantification Inc. (CatIQ).

The Flin Flon Wildfire Complex, which merged several out-of-control fires from north of Snow Lake, Manitoba, into Pelican Narrows, Saskatchewan, forced nearly 40,000 people to evacuate and caused $249 million in insured losses. Denare Beach, Saskatchewan, experienced some of the most severe damage, with hundreds of homes, vehicles and other structures destroyed.

Meanwhile, the Pisew wildfire, affecting La Ronge, Hall Lake and Air Ronge, Saskatchewan, along with surrounding communities, caused more than $50 million in insured damage.

Aaron Sutherland, vice-president of Pacific and Western operations with the Insurance Bureau of Canada, said the fires highlight the growing cost of extreme weather in Canada. “These events are yet another example of the growing frequency and cost of extreme weather in Canada. As disasters such as these continue to grow, they are placing pressure on insurance premiums from coast to coast,” he said.

Prolonged dry and warm conditions contributed to volatile wildfire activity this year, with nearly 780 fires burning close to five million hectares across Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

Sutherland urged governments and the private sector to invest in resilience measures, including updated building codes, community wildfire preparedness plans, nature-based fire prevention, and incentives for homeowners and businesses to strengthen structures against severe weather.

The Insurance Bureau of Canada recommends a proactive approach to emergency management to help communities recover more quickly after natural catastrophes.

Property owners affected by the wildfires are encouraged to contact their insurance representatives to begin the claims process.