Wawanesa Insurance has deployed its Mobile Response Unit (MRU) to assist policyholders affected by wildfires in Lac du Bonnet, the Rural Municipality of Alexander, and Nopiming Provincial Park.
The MRU, which the insurer uses to respond to emergencies across Canada, arrived at the Lac du Bonnet Community Centre last Friday and is expected to remain in place until Thursday evening.
Staff stationed at the unit are supporting policyholders by helping to open claims, issuing per diem payments, and distributing care kits.
As of May 22, the wildfire near Lac du Bonnet, Manitoba, remains uncontrolled after burning over 4,000 hectares. The fire continues to threaten nearby communities, with several areas still under evacuation orders.
Approximately 650 residents have been allowed to return to their homes following the lifting of evacuation orders in some parts of the Lac du Bonnet area. However, regions including Grausdin Point and north Wendigo remain under evacuation due to ongoing fire activity and safety concerns. The fire has destroyed at least 28 structures, with some areas facing severe damage.
According to Wawanesa, it was the first insurer on site in Lac du Bonnet. The company has reached out to affected policyholders to offer assistance with the claims process. It is also providing a $10,000 donation to the rural municipalities of Lac du Bonnet and Alexander to support local recovery and wildfire prevention efforts.
This response is part of Wawanesa’s broader initiatives related to climate risk and community support.
In April, the insurer said it is distributing more than $150,000 in community wildfire prevention grants to 12 grassroots groups across Canada. These grants, delivered through Wawanesa’s Climate Champions program, aim to support local projects that address wildfire risk. The program allocates $2 million annually to climate-related initiatives.
This year’s grants will fund activities such as vegetation management, installation of spark screens at campsites, and a mobile wildfire fuel clean-up unit.
In addition, Wawanesa has provided $75,000 to Thompson Rivers University (TRU) to support wildfire-related research. The contribution marks the first time an insurer has supported such research at TRU.
The university’s project, led by Dr. Will Garrett-Petts and Dr. Cheryl Gladu from the Community and Cultural Mapping Research Group, will examine how communities engage with FireSmart programs, which promote wildfire risk reduction.
The research will focus on identifying challenges smaller communities face in implementing these programs and forms part of TRU’s wider wildfire research initiative.
