Canada wildfires cause $880M in insured damage in July

July wildfires in the Municipality of Jasper and Jasper National Park caused over $880 million in insured damage according to initial estimates from Catastrophe Indices and Quantification Inc., the Insurance Bureau of Canada said in a statement Wednesday.

The “sudden and intense” wildfire, beginning on July 22, was the second-most expensive wildfire in Alberta’s history in insured losses, the statement said.

The municipality’s unique location in a federal park has drawn in “multiple levels of government” to the recovery process, according to the IBC.

“In the coming months, as rebuilding efforts get underway, it will be important that all orders of government work together to establish a clear, effective and efficient decision-making process to ensure consistent progress,” said Craig Stewart, vice president, climate change and federal issues for the IBC, said in the statement.

Canada has been vexed this summer by multiple natural catastrophes, including the Calgary hailstorm on August 5, as well as major flooding in Ontario and Quebec in July and August, the IBC said.