Wildfire information
In Canada, the threat of wildfires affects homeowners, families, and local communities. In order to safeguard property, being prepared isn’t just recommended; it’s essential.
This page is dedicated to providing you with comprehensive information about wildfires so you can stay one step ahead. From preparation strategies to sourcing emergency information in your province and understanding your insurance coverage, we have your back.
If you need to make a wildfire claim, visit our claims page for assistance.
Learn about your coverage
Have questions about your home and fire coverage? Talk to your broker to ensure you're properly protected.
How do I prepare for a wildfire?
At Westland, we’re committed to community safety and protection. The following are actions you can take to protect yourself, your family and your property in the event of a wildfire and what to do in case you’re under Provincial Evacuation Orders. For the full list, visit Government of Canada: Get Prepared.
- Ensure smoke alarms are installed and fire extinguishers and ladders are available in the event of an emergency. Identify and maintain an outside water source and keep a garden hose long enough to reach all areas of your property.
- Landscape using fire-resistant materials, like high-moisture plants and non-combustible mulch and keep plants and lawns well-hydrated and maintained. Use materials such as asphalt shingles, metal or concrete roof tiles on the home that are less likely to catch fire.
- Create a thorough list of your home’s contents as well as a list of critical documents and items. Include vital records, identification, medications and valuable items that can’t be readily replaced.
- Establish multiple evacuation routes to practice with your family and neighbours, and prepare an emergency kit. Here’s what to include in your emergency kit.
- Call 911 or emergency services as soon as you spot a fire. Stay on the line and provide all the necessary details to ensure a rapid response.
- When you receive an evacuation order, swift action is non-negotiable. Pack your emergency kit, essentials, secure your home, and inform someone of your departure details. Refer to your province’s emergency information.
- Attempting to flee from a wildfire on foot can be dangerous. Your car can protect you from the most severe impacts of a fire. If driving through smoke, proceed cautiously with the headlights on and look for a clear path. When your property becomes a trap, staying indoors is often the best option. Remember to close doors, stay away from windows, and remain calm as the fire front approaches.
- If you find yourself in the direct path of the flames, look for open areas with minimal fuel for the fire. Make a quick structure to shield yourself from the heat and flames. Ration your resources ensuring they are available when most needed, prioritizing food, water and any medical supplies you may require. If possible, maintain contact with authorities to stay informed about the trajectory of the fire and potential rescue efforts.
- Check the roof and attic of your sheltering location immediately after the fire danger has passed and put out any fires, sparks or embers. For several hours post-fire, maintain a “fire watch”, re-checking for smoke and sparks. If you detect heat or smoke, evacuate immediately. If returning to your home, do not enter until fire officials say it’s safe. Use caution when entering burned areas as hazards may still exist, including hot spots that can flare up without warning.
- Follow public health guidance on safe cleanup of fire ash and the proper use of masks to avoid inhalation of harmful particles. Wear leather gloves and heavy-soled shoes for hand and foot protection during the clean-up process. Discard any food that has been exposed to heat, smoke, or soot, regardless of its packaging, and do not use water that you think may be contaminated.
- In crisis situations, leadership and support are vital. Listen carefully to what people are telling you, and deal patiently with urgent situations first. If you need to take charge of others, prioritize their safety and well-being. The psychological impact of a fire can be profound. Lean on friends, family, and community support services during this time. Recognize and accept your feelings as natural and necessary for the recovery
Essential strategies to protect your home
An average of 8,000 wildfires burn an average of 2.5 million hectares of forest each year in Canada. To protect your home and community, here are some of the most effective fire prevention strategies to implement. For more information check out our blog post.
Prepare your business
Prepare for common questions from commercial policyholders and clients with our wildfire and mass evacuation question and answer guide. When it comes to protecting your business, we’ve also created a business emergency kit that you can tailor to suit the needs of your employees and location.
How do I stay informed on the latest developments related to wildfires in my province?
You can keep an eye on the status of your area using the Fire Weather Maps on Natural Resources Canada or see the details below for province-specific information.
We encourage everyone to visit Emergency Info AB for the most up-to-date information. Outside of traditional news sources and social media, the following links may also provide helpful updates on the status of various new and ongoing wildfires:
We encourage everyone to visit Emergency Info BC for the most up-to-date information. Outside of traditional news sources and social media, the following links may also provide helpful updates on the status of various new and ongoing wildfires:
We encourage everyone to visit Emergency Info MB for the most up-to-date information. Outside of traditional news sources and social media, the following links may also provide helpful updates on the status of various new and ongoing wildfires:
We encourage everyone to visit Emergency Info NB for the most up-to-date information. Outside of traditional news sources and social media, the following page may also provide helpful updates on the status of various new and ongoing wildfires.
We encourage everyone to visit Emergency Info NL for the most up-to-date information. Outside of traditional news sources and social media, the following links may also provide helpful updates on the status of various new and ongoing wildfires:
We encourage everyone to visit Emergency Info NS for the most up-to-date information. Outside of traditional news sources and social media, the following page may also provide helpful updates on the status of various new and ongoing wildfires.
We encourage everyone to visit Emergency Info ON for the most up-to-date information. Outside of traditional news sources and social media, the following page may also provide helpful updates on the status of various new and ongoing wildfires.
We encourage everyone to visit Emergency Info PEI for the most up-to-date information. Outside of traditional news sources and social media, the following page may also provide helpful updates on the status of various new and ongoing wildfires.
We encourage everyone to visit Emergency Info SK for the most up-to-date information. Outside of traditional news sources and social media, the following links may also provide helpful updates on the status of various new and ongoing wildfires:
We encourage everyone to visit Emergency Info QC for the most up-to-date information. Outside of traditional news sources and social media, the following page may also provide helpful updates on the status of various new and ongoing wildfires.
Frequently asked questions about wildfires in Canada
In many cases, yes. Most standard home insurance policies help cover damage to your home, detached structures, and personal belongings after a covered wildfire event. Coverage can also extend to smoke damage, water damage from firefighting efforts, debris removal, and additional living expenses if you can’t stay in your home. The specifics depend on your policy’s limits, conditions, and exclusions, so it’s worth reviewing your coverage with a Westland advisor before wildfire season begins.
Coverage isn’t unlimited, and gaps are common even on policies that respond well to wildfire claims. Depending on your policy, you may find limited or no coverage for costs above your policy limits, detached structures or land features that fall outside your dwelling coverage, and losses tied to exclusions like uninsured vacancy periods. Reviewing your policy with your advisor before wildfire season is the best way to catch these gaps early.
Many policies include additional living expense coverage when you’re forced to leave your home due to a covered wildfire loss or an evacuation order. This can help pay for temporary accommodations, meals, and other necessary costs while you’re displaced. Coverage amounts and time limits vary by policy, so confirm your specific limits with your broker.
Personal belongings are typically covered if they’re damaged or destroyed by a covered wildfire event. Taking photos or videos of valuable items before wildfire season, and keeping an inventory in a secure digital location, makes the claims process faster if a loss occurs.
It depends. During active wildfire events, some insurers temporarily restrict new coverage, policy changes, or coverage increases in high-risk areas. This is why reviewing your coverage before wildfire season begins matters more than waiting until a fire is already approaching your community.
Contact your broker or insurer as soon as it’s safe to do so. Have your policy information ready, along with photos or videos of the damage, a list of affected belongings, and receipts for any emergency or temporary expenses. Avoid disposing of damaged items until your insurer advises you to. Your advisor will walk you through next steps from there.
To start a claim, call 1 (800) 899-3092. For emergency after-hours claims, call 1 (866) 935-1197.
We recommend reviewing your policy at least once a year, and any time there’s a significant change to your home, such as a renovation or a new detached structure. A review helps confirm your coverage still reflects your home’s current value and belongings, and it’s the simplest way to catch gaps before they matter.
The most common misconception is assuming every wildfire-related loss is automatically covered. Coverage always depends on your specific policy’s limits, conditions, and exclusions, not just the fact that a wildfire occurred. Many homeowners are also surprised that coverage can differ significantly between insurers, which is another reason to confirm your specific protection ahead of time rather than during an active event.
Premiums for homes in higher wildfire-risk zones are typically rated based on:
- Proximity to forested or brush areas
- Local fire department response times and hydrant access
- Home construction materials and roofing type
- Claims history in the region
- Coverage limits and deductible chosen
- Any wildfire mitigation work completed on the property (for example, defensible space clearing)
Speak with a Westland advisor to get a quote based on your specific property and location.
In many cases, yes. Commercial property insurance typically helps cover direct physical damage to buildings, equipment, inventory, and other insured property caused by a covered wildfire event. Limits, exclusions, and conditions vary by policy, so review your protection with your broker before wildfire season.
In many cases, yes. Commercial policies often cover smoke damage to buildings, equipment, inventory, and contents resulting from a covered wildfire event, even if flames never reach the property. Contact your broker as soon as you notice smoke-related damage.
Business interruption coverage can help replace lost income and cover ongoing expenses if a covered wildfire loss forces your business to stop operating. How your policy responds depends on your specific wording and limits, so it’s worth confirming with your broker before wildfire season whether your current coverage matches your actual exposure.
Some commercial policies respond when a mandatory evacuation order prevents access to your premises, even without direct property damage. Because this varies significantly by insurer and policy, business owners should confirm how their coverage handles evacuation-driven closures before wildfire season, not after one is declared.
Yes. Evacuation orders, road closures, power outages, smoke contamination, employee displacement, and supply chain disruptions can all affect a business well outside the fire’s actual path. This is one of the most common misconceptions among business owners, who often assume wildfire risk only applies to properties located near forests or fire-prone terrain.
Contact your broker or insurer as soon as possible. Document all damage with photos and videos, create a list of damaged property and inventory, and keep receipts for emergency expenses. Avoid disposing of damaged items until your insurer instructs you to. Your insurer will guide you through the specific information needed to support your claim.
Before wildfire season, it’s worth organizing:
- Buildings and physical assets
- Inventory and equipment
- Business records and financial documents
- Key contracts and supplier information
- Insurance policies and contact information
Keeping these records backed up digitally makes recovery and the claims process faster if your business is affected.
Commercial property and business interruption premiums in wildfire-exposed areas are typically rated based on:
- Property location and proximity to fire-prone terrain
- Building construction and age
- Industry type and business income exposure
- Claims history
- Coverage limits, deductibles, and business interruption waiting period selected
- Any risk mitigation measures in place (for example, sprinkler systems or defensible space)
Speak with a Westland advisor for a quote based on your business’s specific exposure.
We're here to support you
Wildfires are scary, with devastating potential. If you're in an affected area, our top priority is to support you as best we can. Get in touch if you're affected by a wildfire, or have questions on your fire damage coverage.
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