CatIQ releases damages from Manitoba and Saskatchewan wildfires 

Insured losses from the Flin Flon Man., and La Ronge Sask. wildfires are estimated to have caused nearly $300 million in damages, according to Catastrophe Indices and Quantification Inc. (CatIQ). 

The Flin Flon Wildfire complex was created when a number of out-of-control fires converged, burning from May to late June. The fires spanned from north of Snow Lake, Man., to Pelican Narrows in Sask. Nearly 40,000 people had to evacuate from the out-of-control blazes. The insured losses from that event total $249 million, CatIQ says. 

Denare Beach in Saskatchewan experienced some of the most significant damage from the Flin Flon fire. Officials reported hundreds of homes, structures and vehicles destroyed. 

Then in early June, several Sask. communities, including La Ronge, Hall Lake and Air Ronge, experienced an out-of-control wildfire that led to evacuations. Insured damages tallied more than $50 million. 

Insurance Bureau of Canada notes that wildfires continue to burn out of control across Manitoba and Saskatchewan. As such, the industry may expect more damages, if not catastrophes (which are defined as events exceeding $30 million in insured losses, according to CatIQ).  

IBC says prolonged dry and warm conditions across much of Manitoba and Saskatchewan this spring and summer “have led to volatile conditions.” The association cites that, to date, 780 wildfires have burnt close to 5 million hectares of land in the provinces this year.

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There are currently 122 active wildfires in Manitoba, and more than 2 million hectares burnt.  

In Saskatchewan, there are currently 36 wildfires burning in the province. There have been 485 fires so far this season, surpassing the five-year average of 425, but trailing the 576 blazes from this time last year.  

Alyssa DiSabatino

Alyssa Di Sabatino has been a reporter for Canadian Underwriter since 2021, covering industry trends, market developments, and emerging risks.