The City of Kamloops and Kamloops Fire Rescue are aware of letters sent out to policy holders from some insurance companies across the province. The letters detail a partnership with a private contractor working for the insurers to provide wildfire structural defense of their insured properties. The information suggests that the contractor will respond to an area once a wildfire is within 5 km from the property or it is in an evacuation area, and they may:

• relocate flammable materials such as firewood, propane tanks and furniture
• clear brush and vegetation and prune trees and shrubs
• ensure doors, windows, and garages are closed
• apply biodegradable, non-toxic fire retardant to combustible material
• create a buffer (defensible space) around structures

Kamloops Fire Rescue has reached out to the contractor to obtain a better understanding of their intentions, how they would operate, and any potential impacts or challenges this may cause for the City’s wildfire response should Kamloops experience a wildfire event. Read the full story.