How the Canadian Red Cross is Helping
The Canadian Red Cross is committed to supporting communities impacted by the 2023 Alberta Wildfire season. To date, focus has been on supporting through community partners meeting urgent needs in impacted and host communities with grants provided to over 125 community groups, As the season draws to a close, the Canadian Red Cross is committed to supporting recovery from the event and in increasing resilience to future events. . Readiness for next season must start now.
October 31, 2023, marked the official end of Alberta’s 2023 wildfire season with a record breaking 2.2 million hectares burnt and 38,000 evacuees from over 35 communities according to the Alberta Government.
Support for Households impacted by the Alberta Wildfires
The Canadian Red Cross is offering a program to help Alberta residents located in areas impacted by the 2023 Alberta Wildfires. The program has two elements:
- Personalized Recovery Support
- Residential Mitigation Incentives - Please note the application period closed on April 30, 2024
Personalized Recovery Supports
If your home was destroyed or incurred major damage as a result of the wildfires, you will be able to access personalized recovery support. In order to access this support, we ask that you register and complete the questionnaire. Where it asks if you would like to receive personalized recovery support, please answer “yes” so that we can reach out to you and set up an appointment with a case manager.
Residential Mitigation Incentives (Program application period closed on April 30, 2024)
The Canadian Red Cross was offering a new Residential Mitigation Incentive Program targeted to those living in areas impacted by the 2023 Alberta Wildfires.
This program targeted those who are living in the impacted area, but who either did not experience any damage or had only minor damage to their primary residence and therefore were unable to access funding through other Canadian Red Cross programs.
This program aimed to provide support and resources to households looking to reduce risks, become more climate resilient and be better prepared for future events. There are a range of activities to choose from, from home maintenance activities that should be done annually to reduce your risk, to more substantial projects to increase your home’s resilience to wildfires and extreme heat events. Depending on which activities applicant choose and completed, your household may have been eligible for up to $3,000 to help with associated costs.
- Programming for Indigenous Communities
The Canadian Red Cross is working to develop programming for Indigenous communities that were impact by this summer’s wildfires. This will include support for a range of activities including those around mitigation, community strengthening and recovery.
- Support for Small Businesses
The Canadian Red Cross is working with Economic Developers of Alberta to provide support to small businesses impacted by the wildfires. More information will be posted as it becomes available.
After Wildfires
- Review the step-by-step Canadian Red Cross Guide to Wildfire Recovery for information on what to do when you return home after wildfires.
- Home Inventory Checklist: a list of your home inventory which is helpful both for insurance and other assistance programs. In the case of an insurance claim, an insurance provider would use a similar form to assess the cost to repair or replace lost or damaged items. These items are referred to as home contents.
- Substantial Repair and Reconstruction Contract Checklist: Hiring a contractor for damage or rebuild? Use this checklist with tips as a guide when reviewing the contract prior to signing with a contractor.
Wellbeing and Coping with Crisis
Following an emergency or disaster, a person may experience a range of thoughts, feelings and behaviours that can be intense, confusing, and frightening. These experiences trigger responses that can include physical, emotional, and behavioural reactions.
There are many resources to help you, your family, and your community. Learn more about Coping with Crisis, including ways that you can care for yourself and your loved ones during an emergency.
If you are concerned for the immediate safety or yourself or someone else, call a local crisis support line or 911 right away. Additional resources are listed below and specialized crisis lines and services can also be found here.