ICLR News Releases

For Immediate Release December 8, 2003

ADVICE ABOUT HOW TO BETTER MANAGE WILDFIRE RISK IN BC

VANCOUVER – December 8, 2003 – The Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction is sharing a precautionary message with Canadians to permit a better understanding of wildfires.

“BC is growing increasingly vulnerable to wildfire damage,” said Paul Kovacs, Executive Director of the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction, as he appeared before the B.C. Firestorm 2003 Provincial Review in Vancouver . “This vulnerability to wildfire damage is increasing for three main reasons: more people and property are exposed to this peril as more people move into remote areas; there has been a general warming of the climate, which has increased the frequency of lightning strikes and the likelihood of extended periods of drought in some regions; and decades of active fire suppression have increased the fuel available to burn in several areas,” Mr. Kovacs testified.

“Canadians can better manage wildfire risk and can better mitigate the impact of wildfire damage through a threefold approach: public education surrounding wildfire management efforts; research to identify tax, insurance, and other incentives to encourage better risk management by property owners; and an enhanced role for the provincial and federal governments in the promotion of improved land use practices and the provision of adequate resources for wildfire management,” says Kovacs. “For more information on better preparing yourself and your property for wildfires, please visit ICLR's website at www.iclr.org ,” he adds. “ICLR's website offers tips regarding simple non-structural steps that improve the resistance of Canadian homes to fires of any kind. At the website you will also learn what you should include in a disaster safety kit, along with other helpful hints.”

Hundreds of forest fires raged through British Columbia this past summer and the devastation caused by the persistent fires destroyed over 300 homes. While homeowners are ultimately responsible for protecting their property, the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction offers Canadians an opportunity to improve their chances of surviving a wildfire by taking precautions.

Established by Canada 's property and casualty insurers in 1998, the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction is a research organization, affiliated with the University of Western Ontario , and dedicated to reducing disaster losses through public policy development and increasing public awareness of disaster management. ICLR is committed to the development and dissemination of disaster prevention knowledge and ICLR plays a leadership role as it works to reduce disaster deaths, injuries, and property damage.

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For more information contact:

Rob Sweeting, Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction (416) 364-8677 x 3212