Alberta announces one-time, $1,250 payments for eligible wildfire evacuees

sturgeon lake cree nation fire

Wildfire evacuees will be offered one-time financial assistance from the Alberta government for those displaced for at least seven consecutive days.

Evacuees that are eligible will receive $1,250 per adult and an additional $500 per dependent child under 18 years. An evacuated family of four will receive $3,500.

Using the Alberta.ca Account, evacuees can receive their funds within a 24 hour period that will flow into their accounts and will be transferred via e-transfer. Evacuees who are unable to receive an e-transfer or who cannot apply online can contact 310-4455 for assistance and to make alternate payment arrangements. Government ministries are working closely with First Nation and Metis communities to ensure supports are provided directly where appropriate.

For more information and to apply, visit alberta.ca/emergency

During a Monday news conference, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith put out a call to anyone who is trained and qualified in firefighting, and who would like to volunteer to help in the wildfire efforts to email EmergencySupportOffers@gov.ab.ca.

As of Monday Evening, there were 88 active fires burning in the province.

While the break in hot weather and the help of scattered showers has provided some relief, Christie Tucker, information unit manager with Alberta Wildfires, said the province is not out of the woods yet.

“We’re expecting to warm up towards the weekend which could raise fire danger levels again and we anticipate wind direction could shift, which will change how we tackle these fires,” Tucker said.

There are more than 700 wildland firefighters responding to fires in the province. An additional 20 arrived from B.C. and 80 from Ontario and Quebec.

Across the province, there are 15 evacuation orders in place with more than 29,000 people evacuated from their homes.

On Monday evening, residents of Entwistle and all of Parkland County were allowed to return to their homes.

Parkland County asks residents to be aware fire crews will still be in the area actively fighting the fires in the area, which are 9,898 hectares and 2,400 hectares in size.

The county is in the process of testing water and confirming utilities and there is currently no gas in Entwistle. Areas in Yellowhead County, including Evansburg, Hansonville, Lobstick Resort and Wildwood remain under evacuation.

A fire at Fox Lake, about 500 kilometres north of Edmonton, is also out of control and has reached 16,390 hectares. The community has relocated west to High Level.

The town of Rainbow Lake, about 130 kilometres west of High Level, has issued an evacuation order from a blaze that has grown to 11,900 hectares.