The
Wildfire
Problem
Climate change has increased the severity of seasons with summers becoming drier and hotter. In 2024, it is estimated that 13,000,000 acres were lost in Canada due to forest fires and 2025 is even worse.
Wildfires are becoming more frequent, more intense and more dangerous across North America.
Insurers are cancelling home/cottage owners insurance or increasing premiums given the higher likelihood of losses and increasing reinsurance rates caused by wildfires in North America. Homeowners have a decision to either become proactive to ensure they have insurance coverage at the most attractive rates by installing systems that mitigate risk or continue with the status quo.
Three main wildfire exposure types
The primary ways a structure can catch fire in a wildfire are:
Flame Impingement
(Direct Flame Contact)
This happens when the main wildfire front or secondary fire sources (like burning debris or fences) directly touch the structure.
Radiant Heat
Wildfires, especially large ones with tall flames, radiate intense heat that can ignite structures hundreds of feet away.
Wind-Blown Embers (Firebrands)
These are burning fragments of wood and other materials carried by the wind. They can travel long distances ahead of the fire and land on combustible materials like leaves in gutters or wood siding, starting spot fires.
Understanding Wildfire Behaviour
Watch How Embers Destroy a Home and the Importance of Maintaining Defensible Space
Embers cause 90% of structure ignitions and can travel kilometres ahead of a fire