Active emergency updates

Albertans who are evacuated can join a telephone town hall to get updates on the wildfire situation and answers to their questions. 

When

• Monday, August 19 from 6 pm to 7:30 pm

How to participate

• Phone: 1-833-380-0691
• Listen and ask questions online (closed captioning is available)

If you are not able to join, a recording will be available after the event.

Listen to the recordings

• Wildfire Evacuation Information telephone town hall (August 12)
• Wildfire Evacuation Information telephone town hall (August 6)
• Wildfire Evacuation Information telephone town hall (July 29)

Eligibility

Albertans, including temporary foreign workers, may be eligible to receive a one-time payment of $1,250 for each adult and an additional $500 for each child under 18.

You may qualify for the evacuation payment if you:

• had to leave your primary residence home for 7 days or more due to an evacuation order.
  • secondary residences and recreational properties are not eligible
• are 18 years or older (payments are also available for dependants)

See the Evacuation payments – eligible communities section for a list of communities with an Evacuation Order in place for at least 7 days.

Anyone who left their community voluntarily, but who were not part of a mandatory evacuation order, is not eligible for payment.

How to apply

• Evacuees are encouraged to apply online at Evacuation payments.
  • If you are an evacuee from Jasper, please select 'yes' when asked if you have been evacuated for 7 days.
  • If you are a temporary foreign worker, are unable to apply online due to a lack of Alberta ID, or have no access to a computer, go in person to an Alberta Supports Centre or phone the Alberta Supports Contact Centre.
• Apply in-person at any Alberta Supports Centre Monday to Friday from 8:15 am to 4:30 pm.
• The Alberta Supports Contact Centre is open Monday to Friday, 7:30 am to 8 pm. Call toll-free 1-877-644-9992

Get help

For questions or assistance with your online application:

Alberta Supports Contact Centre

• Hours: Monday to Friday - 7:30 am to 8 pm
• Call toll free: 1-877-644-9992
• In-person: Visit an Alberta Supports Centre.

Residents of the following communities can apply for emergency evacuation payments:

• Garden River, John D’or Prairie and Fox Lake communities within Little Red River Cree Nation
• Janvier 194 (part of Chipewyan Prairie First Nation) and the MD of Opportunity No. 17/Chipewyan Lake
• Town of Jasper and Jasper National Park

Albertans in need of emergency financial assistance as they leave their community may contact the Income Support Emergency Contact Centre at 1-866-644-5135 or visit Emergency financial assistance.

Starting Wednesday, July 31, the Canadian Red Cross will begin distributing $750 in one-time financial assistance per household for Albertans, including temporary foreign workers, evacuated from their primary residence in Jasper.

How it works

• To be eligible, you must have registered with the Canadian Red Cross online or by calling 1-800-863-6582 (8 am to 8 pm MT).
• The Canadian Red Cross will verify your eligibility based on the information you submit when registering.
• Only register once per household – duplicate registration may delay the process.
  • Once a Red Cross registration number has been received by a household for the Alberta Wildfires 2024, that household is considered registered and does not need to do so again.

This financial assistance is made possible thanks to the generosity of people who have contributed to the Canadian Red Cross 2024 Alberta Wildfires Appeal.

• Contact your insurance representative if you have questions about your insurance coverage during the wildfires.
• The Insurance Bureau of Canada has updated information about insurance during wildfires. Albertans affected by wildfires can visit their web page for information on property and auto insurance or contact their Consumer Information Centre:
  • Phone: 1-844-2ASK-IBC (1-844-227-5422)
  • Email: [email protected] (Western and Pacific regions)

Town of Jasper

• Check jasper-alberta.ca for the latest information and re-entry criteria.
• Call the Canadian Red Cross for information and assistance related to the Jasper wildfire situation, including referrals to available resources.
  • Phone: 1-800-863-6582 (8 am to 8 pm daily)

• Do not attempt to return home until you receive official confirmation from the local authority that the evacuation order has been lifted.
• Stay tuned to local news sources, emergency alerts, official announcements and social media accounts for updates. They will provide information on when it is safe to return.
• Stay up to date:
  • Jasper
  • Little Red River Cree Nation

• Authorities may provide specific instructions for the re-entry process. This could include designated entry points, specific routes to follow, or staged timelines for different areas or neighbourhoods.
• Authorities will provide information on any damage or hazards that may still exist and could delay your return.
• Some services may be limited at first, but health care, police and other essential services should already in place.

• Once you have re-entered, conduct an initial assessment of your surroundings to make sure there are no safety concerns.
• Check for any visible hazards such as downed power lines, damaged structures or blocked roads. Avoid contact with damaged or fallen power lines and poles.
• If you notice any immediate dangers, report them to the appropriate authorities and avoid the area.
• When you first get home, consider wearing a respirator style mask such as N95, KN95, P100 or higher-rated masks, to protect yourself from breathing in ash and soot.

• During the re-entry process, remain alert and exercise caution.
• Be mindful of any emergency response activities or cleanup operations in your community that may still be ongoing.

• After re-entering your home, check the status of utilities such as electricity, water and gas. If you notice any issues or damages, contact your utility companies and avoid using or touching any compromised systems.

• Survey your property for any damages caused by the hazard, such as fire, flooding or other impacts.
• Take photographs or videos of any significant damage as evidence for insurance claims, if necessary.

Additional resources

• Insurance Bureau of Canada – Wildfire Insurance Q&A

• Contact local authorities or emergency services for support if you need help or encounter hazards or safety concerns during the re-entry process.
• The re-entry process can differ based on the specific circumstances of the evacuation and the guidance provided by local authorities.
• Always prioritize your safety and follow the instructions and recommendations given by the appropriate officials during the re-entry process.

• Barring any unforeseen challenges, schools in Jasper will be ready to welcome students back on September 17. 
• Inspections of the school buildings have indicated that there is smoke and ash inside, and the air quality is poor.  
• Work to deep clean the schools is currently underway and remediation contractors have 24/7 access to the sites.   
• Families can plan to have their children start school in Jasper on September 17. 
• Families staying outside Jasper can register their children to attend school in any community by contacting the local school authority. 
• Families are encouraged to contact their school authority for the most up-to-date information on school operations, learning options and back-to-school planning: 
  • Grande Yellowhead Public School Division
  • Conseil Scolaire Centre-Nord (email [email protected])

Evacuated seniors who receive monthly Alberta Seniors Benefit payments by cheque should call the Alberta Supports Contact Centre at 1-877-644-9992 to have a replacement payment sent to a current location or bank account.

• Hours: Monday to Friday - 7:30 am to 8 pm

Alberta’s government recognizes the extraordinary challenges faced by businesses operating in areas impacted by recent wildfires.

Business operators affected by a wildfire and not able to file returns or make payments as required may be eligible to have the associated penalties and interest waived or cancelled.

For more information, see the Important Notices on each of the following pages:

• Corporate income tax
• Fuel tax
  • Fuel sellers
  • International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA)
  • Propane sellers (automotive use)
• Tobacco tax
• Tourism levy

Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) is helping applicants whose employment is affected by wildfire evacuations in Alberta. Applications based on a job offer or residence in an Alberta community that has been evacuated will be held up to a maximum of one year from any Alberta community’s evacuation date.

Applicants affected by an Alberta wildfire will have one year to demonstrate they meet AAIP criteria. If unemployed due to the effects of the wildfire on businesses, this includes finding a new job in an eligible occupation with an Alberta employer.

For more information see AAIP updates.

Unfair business practices

It’s not uncommon for reports of price gouging to occur during and after emergencies.

If the price you pay grossly exceeds that of similar goods or services that are readily available, and a business fails to inform you why they are charging more than their competitors, that may qualify as an unfair practice.

• Learn more about unfair business practices

Scams

Scammers and fraudsters will often try to take advantage of people during and after emergencies. Be particularly aware of scams from text, email or telephone that seek your personal or financial information.

We will never send you unsolicited emails, text messages or call you by phone asking for your personal information.

• Learn more about common scams

If you see something suspicious or think you've been the target of a scam, report it to your local police or to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre online.

Learn more about what you need to do as a tenant or landlord returning after a wildfire evacuation.

• Tips to follow during wildfires and the recovery

Learn more about hiring a contractor and signing a contract for repairs and renovations after returning to your home.

• Tips on repairing your home after the Alberta wildfires

Learn more about condo fees and repairs after returning to your home after a wildfire.

• Tips to follow during a wildfire and its recovery

Learn more about using an employment agency to find work.

• Tips and advice for temporary foreign workers

Visit 511.alberta.ca for up-to-date information on road closures and travel advisories.

• Any companies, individuals or organizations that would like to offer support to those impacted by the wildfires can email their offers to [email protected] and [email protected].
• Financial donations can also be made to any charity organizations in your area that are supporting evacuees or assisting with the wildfire response, such as the Canadian Red Cross or others.