Homeowners impacted by wildfires urged to contact BC Assessment before Oct. 31

Photo: File photo

Residents whose properties were impacted by the 2021 wildfires are being asked to contact BC Assessment to get an accurate status on their property.

If they don't, homeowners are at risk of paying taxes on their pre-fire assessments.

"We understand that 2021 has been a very difficult and stressful year for British Columbians who have had to deal with wildfires,” says assessor Tracy Shymko. “BC Assessment is here to help with all your questions and concerns regarding any impacts to your property values.

“Affected property owners are encouraged to contact us to report any damage or loss, so that we can ensure we have an accurate assessment of your property, which could impact changes to your 2022 property taxes.”

Shymko said it is vital to contact BC Assessment before Oct. 31 in order for their 2022 property assessment to be correctly calculated.

Property assessments for 2022 are based on their market values as of July 1, 2021, and their physical condition and actual use as of Oct. 31, 2021.

It is that physical condition, as of Oct. 31, that BC Assessment is asking impacted property owners to self-report.

BC Assessment is mailing self-reporting forms to identified property owners within wildfire regions.

However, the agency recognizes that impacted property owners may not have easy access to receiving mail, so it is urging those property owners to contact BC Assessment for assistance.

Impacted property owners can contact BC Assessment toll-free at 1-866-valueBC (1-866-825-8322) or online

Property owners can simply provide their property’s address and state that they want to report their property’s physical condition and the extent of any damage resulting from the wildfires.

Dozens of homes were lost in the devastating White Rock Lake wildfire, which burned homes on the Westside of Okanagan Lake and in the Monte Lake area.