As temperatures begin to warm, the Provincial Government of British Columbia has urged all of its residents to prepare for this year’s flood and wildfire season.

In an official statement, the government recommended that BC residents purchase flood and fire insurance, on top of taking further action to mitigate the potential for damage when disaster strikes.

“As we’ve seen in recent years, from wildfires to floods, many households in the province are uninsured or underinsured for the hazards we face in British Columbia, which are becoming more frequent due to climate change,” said BC Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth. “The province is working hard to support those affected by recent disasters, but ultimately flood and fire insurance is one of the best ways you can protect your family.”

“As our climate changes, we’re seeing a dramatic increase in the frequency and severity of extreme weather events like floods, storms and wildfires in British Columbia,” added Insurance Bureau of Canada Western and Pacific vice president Aaron Sutherland. “Insurance is a critical tool to help individuals and families prepare for – and recover from – these risks, should the worst occur.”

The government said in a release that home insurance is widely available in every BC community, and should cover fire damage and losses. However, flood insurance has some specific considerations – the government explained that residential flood insurance can be limited when it comes to areas of higher risk. Therefore, residents must speak with their insurance representative to determine if residential flood insurance or sewer-backup coverage is available to their property.

BC also offered a reminder in its release that the Disaster Financial Assistance program is not available for losses due to wildfire because of the availability of fire insurance.