Emergency Alerts and Updates

Wildfire Readiness

Wildfire activity surged across Alberta in early May. Knowing how to prepare for the possibility of a wildfire and how to react if one strikes is essential to your household’s safety.

Each of the accordion menus below contains concrete, practical tips to help you increase your household’s wildfire readiness. If you have questions or would like to learn more, download the Preparing for Wildfires Info Sheet or reach out to wildfires@metis.org.

Preparing for a wildfire

Evacuating from a wildfire

  • Prepare your vehicle. Keep your vehicle fueled up if you notice reports of wildfire activity in towns or communities close to yours. This’ll ensure that you can leave quickly if a local evacuation order is issued.
  • Get ready if you receive an evacuation alert. While evacuation orders direct residents to leave an area immediately, evacuation alerts notify communities that they should prepare to do so. Stay tuned for additional directions from authorities and stock up your vehicle with your emergency kits, emergency plan, and any other important items you may require. Don’t forget to bring critical documents like your passport, healthcare card, and driver’s license if these aren’t included in your kits.
  • Protect your animals. The Government of Alberta recommends bringing your pets indoors and moving grazing animals to a central, safe space to prevent them from getting trapped in enclosures. Ensure they’ve got permanent identification so that you can identify them if they escape your property while you’re gone.
  • Follow evacuation orders and instructions. If an evacuation order is issued to your community, move your pets into carriers and leave in accordance with the directions provided by authorities. Learn more about evacuation from our Preparing for Evacuation Info Sheet or print our Be Prepared to Evacuate Infographic.

Returning home

  • Assess your home for potential hazards. MyHealth Alberta’s page lists hazards to watch out for in and around your home, as well as advice on helpful personal protective equipment (PPE) and more.
  • Follow water safety practices. MyHealth Alberta also offers guidance on how to flush your water system and clean your cistern when you return home.
  • Get support. The Accessing Assistance section on our Emergency Preparedness page contains resources to help you get back on your feet.

Resources

Otipemisiwak Métis Government resources

Third-party resources

Emergency Preparedness Booklet

Download our Emergency Preparedness Reference Guide for valuable emergency readiness tips and resources.

View Booklet

During an Evacuation or Emergency

Returning Home After a Wildfire or Evacuation

Accessing Assistance

Provincial Financial Assistance Resources

  • Emergency Needs Allowance: This Government of Alberta program is for evacuees who require immediate emergency financial assistance.
  • Insurance Claims: Reach out to your insurance provider to determine if they will cover damage caused to your home, property, or business by a wildfire or disaster.
  • Hazard Assistance and Resilience Program (HARP): HARP is a conditional grant program run by the Government of Alberta. It can disburse financial assistance to eligible local governments, ministry departments, homeowners, and small business applicants who are facing loss after a natural disaster that could not have been covered by insurance.
  • Municipal Wildfire Assistance Program: This Government of Alberta program provides financial assistance to municipalities that require assistance with the costs of managing wildfires outside of Alberta’s Forest Protection Area.
  • Emergency Financial Assistance: If you have a loan from Alberta Student Aid, reach out to them to determine if you may be eligible for provisional emergency funding or a Repayment Assistance Plan.
  • Emergency Food Benefits Application This Government of Alberta program is for evacuees who require assistance with obtaining food after a wildfire or disaster.

Federal Financial Assistance Resources

  • Disaster Assistance Programs: These Government of Canada programs provide additional financial assistance to specific social and economic sectors affected by a disaster.
  • Employment Insurance (EI): Individuals who are unable to work due to hazardous weather and disaster can apply for EI benefits (Government of Canada).
  • Emergency Financial Assistance for Students: Students and apprentices who have been affected by hazardous weather or a natural disaster and need help making loan payments can fast-track their application for the Repayment Assistance Program. To request expedited processing of your Repayment Assistance Program application, contact the National Student Loans Service Centre (NSCLC) if you have Canadian student loans, or the Canada Apprentice Loan Service Centre (CAL) if you have a CAL loan (Government of Canada).

Housing Assistance

  • Métis families who are homeless or on the verge of being homeless can apply for the Reaching Home Program [pdf] through Métis Housing. The Government of Alberta’s Find Shelters webpage lists information about shelters for individuals and families.

Mental Health Resources and Disaster Recovery

Preparing for Extreme Weather Events

Preparing for Wildfires

Preparing for Wildfire Smoke

Preparing for Extreme Heat

Creating an Emergency Plan

Other Emergency Resources

Emergency Kit Resources

Emergency Contacts

  • Report a fire in your community or request immediate medical assistance: 911
  • Report a wildfire: 310-FIRE (3473)
  • Get non-emergency medical advice: 811 (Health Link)
  • Information on road closures and conditions: 511
  • Telephone town halls: 1-833-380-0691
  • Alberta Emergency Management Agency (wildfire updates): 780-310-4455
  • Alberta Supports Contact Centre: Albertans who have been affected by mandatory evacuation orders for more than seven days may be able to apply for a one-time emergency evacuation payment. For more information, visit the Government of Alberta’s Active emergency updates page. To determine if you’re eligible, visit an Alberta Supports Centre or call them at 1-877-644-9992.

Community Resources for Emergency Preparedness Training