Wildfire Defense Services

Now Available for SPG Canada Policyholders.

Wildfire Defense Services

Fast, Flexible, and Fully Covered

Wildfire Defense Services Now Available for SPG Canada Policyholders

SPG Canada has partnered with Wildfire Defense Systems Canada Inc. (WDS Canada), a world leader in wildfire loss prevention and suppression, to provide eligible policyholders with proactive property protection services at no additional cost.

This partnership adds a layer of protection during active wildfire events. When a qualifying property is threatened, WDS Canada may deploy trained professionals to perform on-site mitigation before, during, and after the fire passes.

What WDS Canada Does

During an active wildfire threat, WDS Canada personnel may:

  • Move combustible materials from around the property, including firewood, propane tanks, outdoor furniture, and other items that may fuel a fire.
  • Secure your property by covering exterior vents and closing all exterior doors, windows, and garage doors to try and prevent ember intrusion and smoke entry.
  • Deploy temporary sprinkler systems to create a protective water barrier around your property.
  • WDS Canada will not cut down trees or bushes on the property. In extreme threat situations, WDS Canada may apply fire-blocking gel to your home’s exterior and/or fire-retardant barriers to surrounding vegetation to prevent ignitions.

Following the wildfire event, WDS Canada will make all reasonable efforts to return to your property to restore relocated items to their original positions and remove any fire-blocking materials that were applied.

How Eligibility Works

Eligibility for WDS services is evaluated based on your property type, location, building characteristics, and policy structure. This assessment occurs after your policy is issued, which means eligibility cannot be confirmed at the time of quote or policy purchase.

You do not need to register or take any action to be considered. If your property meets the eligibility criteria and is threatened by wildfire, WDS Canada will be notified automatically.

Factors That Determine Eligibility

The following factors are considered when determining whether a property qualifies for WDS Canada response:

  • Location: Properties must be in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, or parts of Western Ontario, and accessible by established roads, bridges, or ferries.

  • Property type: Certain occupancy types are eligible while others are excluded based on operational or safety considerations.

  • Building height: Structures must be 3 stories or less to allow for WDS Canada intervention tactics.
  • Policy structure: The policy must provide building coverage and be 100% covered by SPG Canada without any external subscribers.
  • Address: A valid, locatable street address is required for WDS Canada to respond.
Personal Lines (Homeowners)

Most single-family homes with comprehensive coverage will qualify. Property types that are generally not eligible include individual condominium units, townhomes, co-ops, renter’s policies, and mobile or manufactured homes with gaps between the structure and foundation.

Commercial Lines

Commercial eligibility depends on occupancy type and building characteristics. Properties near concentrations of flammables, chemicals, hazardous materials, or biohazards are excluded for firefighter safety.

Examples of Generally Eligible Commercial Occupancies
  • Retail/Mercantile, Office Buildings
  • Restaurants, Bars/Taverns, Hotels/Motels/Resorts
  • Apartment Buildings, Condominium Complexes (common areas)
  • Religious Buildings, Day Care Centers, Nursing Homes
  • Fitness Centers, Veterinary Clinics, Salons/Barber Shops
  • Mini Warehouse/Self Storage, Farming Operations
Examples of Ineligible Commercial Occupancies
  • Chemical/Petroleum Processing, Natural Gas Facilities

  • Manufacturing (Heavy and Light), Mining Operations

  • Airports, Terminals, Marinas

  • Government/Municipal Buildings, Correctional Facilities

  • Utilities, Nuclear Facilities, Dams

  • Wind/Solar Farms, Sawmills, Grain Elevators

These lists are not exhaustive. If you have questions about whether your specific property qualifies, please contact your broker.

Important to Know

WDS Canada coordinates with local fire authorities and emergency services to reach as many eligible properties as safely possible during wildfire events. Service deployment depends on:

  • Active fire proximity and behavior
  • Evacuation orders and road access
  • Available personnel and resources
  • Emergency services coordination

Firefighter and civilian safety always come first. While WDS Canada makes every effort to reach eligible properties, rapidly changing conditions may prevent access to some areas during peak fire activity. WDS Canada is a supplemental protection service and does not replace the need for comprehensive insurance or personal wildfire preparedness.

There is no guarantee that WDS Canada personnel and resources will reach your property to provide wildfire mitigation services. Property owners in fire-prone areas should maintain defensible space and have an evacuation plan regardless of WDS Canada eligibility. SPG Canada and WDS Canada fully support FireSmartTM practices, Therefore, we encourage policy holders to educate themselves on all actions they can take to mitigate loss due to wildfire. For more information on FireSmart practices and programs, go to your provincial FireSmart website or FireSmart Canada.

We’re committed to supporting our policyholders with the best available protection and resources. Whether or not your specific property qualifies for WDS Canada services, we encourage you to review your wildfire preparedness plan and maintain adequate insurance coverage.

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Questions?

For questions about WDS Canada services, visit www.wdscanada.ca To discuss your policy and coverage needs, please contact your insurance broker.