Active emergency updates

Local authorities determine when residents are allowed to re-enter. No communities are evacuated at this time.

You may qualify for the evacuation payment if you:

• had to leave your home for 7 days or more due to a mandatory evacuation order
• are 18 years or older (payments are also available for dependents)

You are not eligible for payment if you choose not to leave your home community during a mandatory evacuation order.

See the Emergency evacuation payments – eligible communities section for a list of communities with an Evacuation Order in place for 7 days or more.
 

• Evacuees will have up to 60 days to apply following the start of a mandatory evacuation order that lasts 7 days or more for their respective communities.
• For questions or assistance, call the Alberta Supports Contact Centre toll free at 1-877-644-9992 (Monday to Friday, 7:30 am to 8 pm).
• For in-person support, visit an Alberta Supports Centre (hours vary by location).

• Evacuees can apply for an evacuation payment only once during the same event.
• Applicants will have up to 60 days to apply following the start of an evacuation order for their respective community.
• Payments will be sent to eligible recipients through e-transfer and can take up to 24 hours. Alternate payment arrangements may take longer.
• Emergency evacuation payments are in addition to any insurance coverage and will not affect the coverage you receive through your insurance.
• Emergency evacuation payments are non-taxable and will not impact benefit amounts for people who receive AISH or Income Support benefits.

For questions or assistance with your online application:

Wildfire information line

• Call: 310-4455
• Hours: Monday to Friday – 8:15 am to 4:30 pm

Alberta Supports Centre

• Call toll free: 1-877-644-9992
• Hours: Monday to Friday – 7:30 am to 8 pm
• In-person: Visit an Alberta Supports Centre (hours vary by location)

Applications for emergency evacuation payments are open for 60 days following the evacuation order being placed.

Additional information:

• Online applications can be made starting the day your community becomes eligible
• In-person applications can be made starting the day after your community becomes eligible
• Payments begin the day after you apply

• 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)

Education continuity

Alberta Education works closely with school authorities to support students who have been displaced due to wildfire evacuations. This includes determining what actions may be required to support students to continue their learning.

Families are encouraged to contact their school authority for the most up-to-date information on changes to local school operations.

Information for seniors

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

Provincial business taxes

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, refer to Special Notice Vol. 8 No. 6 – Alberta Wildfires: Waivers of Penalties and Interest.

Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) applicants

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.

Landlords and tenants

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

Home repairs and renovations

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

Condominium owners and boards

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

• Tips to follow during a wildfire and its recovery

Employment agencies

Learn more about using an employment agency to find work.

• Tips and advice for temporary foreign workers

For companies, individuals or organizations wanting to offer support to those impacted by emergency/disaster events, use the Emergency Support Offers Tracker application.

The application runs all year long and provides the necessary information for submitting your offer.

Learn what to do if your driver’s licence, ID card or birth certificate was lost or destroyed during a wildfire emergency:

• Renew or replace a driver’s licence
• Get a government ID card
• Order a birth certificate or document

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