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, please reach out to wildfires@metis.org.

Preparing for a wildfire

Monitor wildfire activity in your area. Bookmark the Government of Alberta’s interactive wildfires map or download their Alberta Wildfire app so you can check the dashboard regularly.

Follow household fire safety practices. Ensure your smoke detectors, carbon monoxide alarms, and fire extinguishers are in working order. For more practical tips on fire safety, visit FireSmart Alberta’s At Home page.

Be aware of fire hazards. 58% of this year’s wildfires were caused by humans—that’s 172 wildfires that may have been preventable.

Protect our lands by monitoring and adhering to active fire bans. If fires are permitted in your area, fully extinguish them when you leave. If you smoke, discard the cigarette safely to keep it from sparking a fire.

Build emergency kits. Watch our quick household emergency kit or vehicle emergency kit videos for instructions on assembling basic kits. Pack enough food, water and supplies into your kits to sustain your household for 72 hours.

Pet emergency kit and DIY air purifier tutorial videos will be published on our Instagram and TikTok accounts in the coming weeks. In the meantime, you can check out the Government of Alberta’s pet emergency kit instructions or the University of Washington’s air purifier tutorial.

Create an emergency plan. Plan how you’ll navigate an evacuation ahead of time so that you can immediately respond to an evacuation order. The Canadian Red Cross offers a free, editable emergency plan outline.

Make sure to list different organizations and programs that can assist you during an emergency. Potential options include Métis Housing’s Reaching Home Program, our Wellness Program, and the Government of Alberta’s Emergency Needs Allowance and Emergency Food Benefits Application.

 

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, health 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. The Canadian Red Cross has a short PDF that provides additional guidance on what to do during an evacuation.

Returning home

Assess your home for potential hazards. MyHealth Alberta’s Protecting yourself and your family 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: for evacuees requiring immediate emergency financial assistance Emergency Food Benefits Application: for evacuees requiring assistance with obtaining food after a wildfire or disaster Income Support: for financial assistance regarding emergency eviction or utility disconnection as a result of the wildfires or disaster Insurance Claims: claim insurance coverage for homes, properties or businesses damaged as a result of a wildfire or disaster Disaster Recovery Program: financial assistance when facing uninsurable loss after a disaster Municipal Wildfire Assistance Program: for municipalities requiring assistance with the costs of wildfires Emergency Financial Assistance for students (Alberta Student Aid)

Federal Financial Assistance Resources

National Student Loans Service Centre (NSCLC) Student loan borrowers: contact the NSCLC to fast-track your application for the Repayment Assistance Plan

Canada Apprentice Loan Service Centre Apprentice loan borrowers: contact the CALSC to fast-track your application for the Repayment Assistance Plan

Housing Assistance

Mental Health Resources and Disaster Recovery

Addiction Helpline: 1-866-332-2322

Mental Health Helplines: 1-877-303-2642

Only available in AHS North Zone (MNA districts 13 – 18 and 22: partially covered districts 7, 8, and 19 – 21) and South Zone (MNA districts  partially covered 1 – 4). See Map.

More Health Resources.

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

Fire in your community or immediate medical assistance: 911

Reporting a wildfire: 310-FIRE (3473)

Non-emergency medical advice: 811 (Health Link)

Information on road closures and conditions: 511

Telephone Town Halls: 1-833-380-0691

Alberta Wildfire Resource Line:  For evacuated farmers and ranchers with questions regarding livestock 780-310-4455

Alberta Supports Contact Centre: For evacuees requiring emergency benefits 1-877-644-9992

Community Resources for Emergency Preparedness Training