Wildfires are becoming an increasingly common occurrence throughout much of Canada, especially in Western BC. While human activity is the number one reigning cause of most wildfires, there’s been far more conservation efforts pointed towards informing travelers, campers, and even residents in local areas on how to be “fire-safe.” Still, with external factors such as climate change causing extreme drought and weather fluctuations, wildfire season is an ever-prevalent phenomenon.
Summer and spring are some of the best times to travel with a camper trailer, or other type of RV, but they also bring on the threat of wildfires. What does one do when traveling with a trailer while wildfire season is upon us? Do we cancel our trips?
For the worst-case scenario, it’s not a bad idea to have camper trailer insurance as a backup. Camper trailer insurance, or camping trailer insurance, can help to protect your physical trailer in the event of an unexpected disaster – especially, in this case, with wildfires. Fire damage is generally covered by most standard camper trailer insurance policies, but check with your RecProtect broker to be sure (as well as to assess if your limits are sufficient enough!)
Want to know how to handle the wildfire season, what to do if you see a wildfire, and how to ensure your camper trailer insurance fits your requirements? Read on for more information.
Take the necessary precautions to avoid starting a fire.
As much as these tips should be regarding you and your family’s safety as well as why camper trailer insurance is imperative to protecting your asset, it should be noted that the majority of wildfires are caused by humans, we need to do our parts to prevent adding to the issue. Every province has its own set of rules regarding fire bans. In some provinces, things like firecrackers and starting bonfires in certain areas are prohibited, so keep mind of what your areas’ regulations might be.
Consider these tips:
- Avoid dragging anything behind your camper trailer, like a chain, that could spark
- Avoid parking in dry, grassy areas
- For campfires:
- Ensure your fire pit is made to conventional standards, using a ring of rocks to bar it from touching any grass or dry material
- Set it at least three meters away from undergrowth, trees, and structures
- Have eight or more liters of water as well as a shovel on-hand if you need to extinguish the fire quickly
- Ensure that the fire is fully put out by pouring water on and around it, stirring, and then dousing again. Examine for remaining embers
- Never, under any circumstances, leave a campfire unattended
- Avoid setting off fireworks or exploding targets
- If you are a smoker, always dispose of your butts accordingly
- For anyone who operates off-road vehicles, ensure that your spark arrestor/muffler, etc., are functioning properly before you ride. Also ensure that any hot spots are frequently cleared of debris, such as tall grass or dry branches.
What do you do if you see a wildfire?
Remain calm. If you see a wildfire that is threatening structures and/or people, immediately call 9-1-1. If the fire may not be an immediate threat, you can report it.
- In Northern Ontario, the number to report forest fires is 310-FIRE (3473)
- In B.C., you can report wildfires by calling the number 1-800-663-5555.
- In Alberta, call 403-310-FIRE (3473) to report a wildfire
If a wildfire is nearby, you may notice a tail of smoke as the first indicator. Your first course of action should always be to report the fire and never attempt to fight it yourself. If you believe that you and your family are at risk, evacuate the area. Should you choose to stay, monitor the situation accordingly and be prepared to evacuate. If any news program or alarm tells you to evacuate, do so immediately.
Wildfires can move fast, and even unpredictably. If your gut feeling tells you that you aren’t safe, listen to it. Smoke can be extremely dangerous as well, even if the fire itself isn’t close enough to be a threat.
Camper trailer insurance
Camper trailer insurance, or camping trailer insurance, is one of the most surefire ways to have peace of mind while traveling, wherever you’re planning to go in Canada. Camper trailer insurance may cover a variety of items relevant to your trailer, such as its physical structure, premises liability, detached and separate private structures, contents within, and even emergency roadside assistance.
Just think: how much does your camper trailer cost? Would you be able to cover the costs for a replacement, or even for repairs? It’s a tough one, not to mention the time and freedom you’d lose if anything unexpected occurred while you were already out on the road. RecProtect’s camper trailer insurance policies help preserve your peace of mind, wherever you’re going.
You can get a camper trailer insurance quote with RecProtect in less than 60 seconds. It’s just that easy: get comprehensive protection, fitted to your needs, for less – today. With RecProtect, you can Buy It, Insure It, and Enjoy It immediately. That’s our guarantee.
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