Before, during and after a wildfire: A business action guide

Wildfires are becoming more frequent, more intense, and more disruptive to Canadian businesses. Whether your location is in a high-risk zone or a fire burns close enough to close your roads or cut your supply chain, this guide gives you a clear action plan for every stage. 

Why wildfire preparedness matters for Canadian businesses

2025 is the second worst wildfire season in Canadian history, with more than 6,000 wildfires in nearly every province and territory, burning over 8.3 million hectares. In BC, Alberta, and the territories, entire communities were evacuated, and thousands of businesses shut down for weeks.  

The damage isn’t limited to businesses in the fire’s direct path: smoke disrupts outdoor industries, road closures sever supply chains, and evacuation orders empty client bases. For small and medium-sized businesses, even a short closure can have lasting consequences. Businesses that prepare in advance recover faster, lose less, and support their people more effectively. 

Before the wildfire: How to prepare

Review your business insurance coverage

Schedule a policy review with your insurance broker before fire season begins, ideally every spring. Many business owners assume their coverage is sufficient, but standard commercial property policies don’t always cover every wildfire-related loss. Ask your broker specifically about: 

• Commercial property insurance: Does it cover fire, smoke, and water damage from firefighting efforts?
• Business interruption insurance: Will it cover lost income and ongoing expenses if you’re forced to close, even if your building is undamaged?
• Civil authority coverage: Are you covered if an evacuation order forces your business to close?
• Extra expense coverage: Does it cover the cost of operating from a temporary location?

Keep a copy of your policy documents and broker contact information in a secure off-site location and backed up digitally. 

Build or update your business continuity plan

A business continuity plan (BCP) tells your team how to keep operating or safely shut down when disaster strikes. It doesn’t need to be lengthy. A clear, practical one-page plan your team can follow under stress is worth more than a detailed document. Cover the essentials: 

• Who has authority to order an evacuation or closure of your premises
• Which business functions can be performed remotely and from where
• How you’ll communicate with employees, clients, and suppliers during a disruption
• Who your backup suppliers are if your primary supply chain is cut

Review your BCP annually and update it whenever your team, location, or operations change. 

Document your assets and protect critical records

Thorough documentation is the foundation of any insurance claim. Take these steps now:

• Photograph or video every room and major asset. Store footage in the cloud or off-site.
• Record serial numbers, purchase dates, and replacement values for key equipment.
• Back up all business data, such as client records, financials, contracts, to a secure cloud platform.
• Store physical copies of key documents (deeds, leases, licences, insurance policies) off-site or in a fireproof safe.

Prepare your physical premises

Practical steps now can meaningfully reduce your building’s vulnerability. FireSmart Canada recommends clearing combustible vegetation and debris for at least 10 metres around your building. Also: 

• Check and service smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and suppression systems annually.
• Seal gaps around vents and eaves that can allow embers to enter.
• Label your gas, water, and electricity shutoffs clearly so any employee can find them quickly.
• Stack flammable materials, firewood, and propane tanks well away from the building.

Set up your emergency communication system

Communication breaks down quickly in a wildfire emergency. Establish your channels and protocols before you need them: 

• Maintain an up-to-date contact list for all employees, including personal mobile numbers.
• Designate a communication channel, such as group text, email, or a platform like Slack, that works without office network access.
• Sign up for your regional emergency alerting system (ex. Alert Ready in BC; Alberta Emergency Alert in AB).
• Ensure your website and social media can be updated remotely, so clients receive timely information.

Download the business wildfire emergency kit

During a wildfire: Protecting your people and property

When a wildfire is active near your area, your priorities shift. People first, assets second. 

Understand evacuation alert levels

Canadian jurisdictions use a three-level system. Know what each level means for your business: 

Secure your premises before evacuating

If you have time, and only if it’s safe, take these steps before you leave: 

• Shut off gas, electricity, and water if there’s a risk of fire reaching your building. 
• Close all windows and doors, but leave them unlocked so firefighters can enter. 
• Take your emergency documentation kit: insurance documents, keys, employee records, financial backups. 
• Move combustible materials inside or away from exterior walls. 
• Leave exterior lights on so your building is visible in low-visibility smoke conditions. 

Support your employees

Communicate clearly and frequently, as employees who feel informed make better decisions under stress. Confirm that every team member has evacuated safely. Be transparent about what you know and don’t know about the business situation. Ensure everyone knows how to access support, including your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and local evacuation centres. 

Communicate with clients and manage smoke disruption

Even if your building is untouched, smoke can disrupt operations for days or weeks. Document every operational change, such as reduced hours, remote work, and client cancellations, as this will support a business interruption claim. At the same time: 

• Update your website, Google Business Profile, and social media with a brief status message as soon as you’re safely evacuated. 
• Contact key clients directly if their service or delivery will be affected. 
• Avoid over-promising timelines. It’s better to update with good news than to miss a commitment. 
• Monitor the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI); readings above 7 are high risk. Consult WorkSafeBC or your provincial equivalent for smoke exposure guidelines.

After the wildfire: Recovering your business

The period immediately following a wildfire is often the most complex for business recovery. Acting promptly and methodically gives you the best chance of returning to full operations. 

Wait for clearance, then contact your broker immediately

Do not re-enter before your municipality issues an official all-clear. Hot spots, compromised structures, and poor air quality can persist for weeks.  

Once you’re cleared, one of the first calls you make should be to your insurance broker. You don’t need to wait until you’ve completed a full damage assessment. 

Your broker can initiate your claim, connect you with emergency advances available under your policy, advise on what temporary repairs you can undertake without voiding coverage, and arrange for an adjuster to assess damage as quickly as possible. 

Document all damage before you clean up

The quality of your documentation directly affects the speed and value of your insurance settlement: 

• Photograph and video every area of damage, interiors and exteriors, from multiple angles. 
• Preserve all damaged items until your adjuster has seen them. Do not discard anything. 
• Keep every receipt for emergency expenses: accommodation, equipment rental, emergency repairs. 
• Record the dates your business was closed or operating at reduced capacity. 
• Document smoke and water damage from firefighting, not just fire damage. 

Resume operations and access financial support

Every day fully closed is a day of lost revenue. Explore temporary locations, remote operations, and short-term equipment rental to restore capacity quickly. At the same time, apply for financial assistance as early as possible, as many programs have application windows and funding limits. Programs that may be available include: 

• Federal and provincial Disaster Financial Assistance (DFAA / DFA programs) 
• BDC (Business Development Bank of Canada) special financing for disaster-affected businesses 
• Municipal recovery grants. Contact your local Chamber of Commerce or economic development office 
• Canadian Red Cross business recovery grants (activated for major wildfire events) 

Your insurance broker, accountant, and local Chamber of Commerce can help you identify which programs apply to your situation. 

Support your people and improve your BCP

Recovery is hard on everyone. Activate your EAP, be flexible about return-to-work timelines for employees dealing with personal losses, and normalize conversations about mental health in your workplace.  

Once the immediate recovery is underway, conduct a formal debrief: what worked, what didn’t, and what needs to change in your BCP. Review your insurance coverage for gaps, update your asset documentation, and share what you learned with your local business community. 

Frequently asked questions

Does commercial property insurance cover wildfire damage?

In most cases, yes. Fire is a standard covered peril under Canadian commercial property policies. However, coverage for smoke damage, water damage from firefighting, and losses from evacuation orders varies significantly between policies. Review the specifics with your broker before fire season. 

What is business interruption insurance and do I need it?

Business interruption insurance compensates you for lost income and ongoing expenses when your business is forced to close due to a covered event. For businesses in wildfire-prone regions of Canada, it’s strongly recommended. Many policies also include civil authority coverage, which can extend protection to closures ordered by evacuation authorities, even if your building itself is undamaged. 

My building wasn’t damaged but we had to close due to smoke and road closures. Am I covered?

It depends on your policy. Civil authority coverage and business interruption insurance can both apply in this scenario, but trigger conditions, waiting periods, and limits vary. Discuss your policy with your broker before fire season, not after a fire starts. 

Can I make emergency repairs before the adjuster visits?

Yes. Your policy generally expects you to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage, like boarding up windows, covering damaged roofing, and removing standing water. Document everything before and after, keep all receipts, and notify your insurer of any emergency repairs you undertake. 

Quick-reference checklist

Before fire season

• Review insurance coverage with your broker, like property, business interruption, civil authority
• Update your business continuity plan 
• Complete asset inventory with photos and cloud back-up
• Store key documents off-site or in a fireproof safe 
• Clear combustible vegetation within 10 metres of your building 
• Sign up for regional wildfire and emergency alerts
• Brief your team on evacuation procedures 

During a wildfire

• Activate your BCP and communicate with all employees
• Monitor provincial wildfire dashboard and emergency alerts 
• Secure premises safely before evacuating 
• Grab your emergency documentation kit 
• Update website, social media, and Google Business Profile 
• Confirm all employees have evacuated safely 

After a wildfire

•  Wait for official re-entry clearance
• Contact your insurance broker to initiate your claim 
• Document all damage before any clean-up begins 
• Preserve damaged items until your adjuster visits 
• Keep all receipts for emergency and recovery expenses 
• Apply for government financial assistance programs 
• Conduct a post-event debrief and update your BCP 

Double-check if your business is ready for wildfire season

Wildfire risk is increasing across Canada. Before fire season begins, speak with a Westland Insurance broker to review your commercial property and business interruption coverage, identify any gaps in your protection, and understand exactly how to file a claim if disaster strikes. 

Talk to a Westland advisor today. Our brokers are ready to help you protect what you’ve built. 

Contact your local advisor