The City of Edmonton has begun accepting residents evacuated from the City of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, at the Edmonton EXPO Centre in response to a request for assistance from the Alberta Emergency Management Agency. A state of local emergency and a state of territorial emergency have been declared in Yellowknife and residents in the area have been ordered to evacuate due to the wildfire.
A total of 974 residents and 60 pets had been registered as of 4 p.m. today. The EXPO Centre is experiencing long lineups and registrations are ongoing.
Edmonton Fire Rescue Services (EFRS) is preparing to deploy equipment and crews to Yellowknife to protect the municipality from the encroaching wildfire.
Evacuation Registration
Residents evacuated are being directed to the Reception Centre located at the Edmonton EXPO Centre at 7515 118 Avenue NW in Hall C. Residents are encouraged to come directly to the reception centre upon arrival in Edmonton to register and access available support.
The Centre will provide all immediate needs for evacuees including temporary lodging, food services, clothing, pet care and health care.
Pet Care
Evacuated residents can bring their pets to the EXPO Centre when they register and are encouraged not to leave animals in vehicles. Animal care services will provide on-site services, including pet food and supplies from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily,
Residents evacuated are being directed to the Reception Centre located at the Edmonton EXPO Centre at 7515 118 Avenue NW in Hall C. Residents are encouraged to come directly to the reception centre upon arrival in Edmonton to register and access available support.
The Centre will provide all immediate needs for evacuees including temporary lodging, food services, clothing, pet care and health care.
Pet Care
Evacuated residents can bring their pets to the EXPO Centre when they register and are encouraged not to leave animals in vehicles. Animal care services will provide on-site services, including pet food and supplies from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily,
Fitness and Health Support
Registered wildfire evacuees with wristbands will receive free admission to all City of Edmonton recreation and leisure centres (find a recreation centre by selecting a quadrant and/or amenities) where they can shower and access recreation facilities. The wristbands will also provide free admission to the Edmonton Valley Zoo, Muttart Conservatory and John Janzen Nature Centre.
The Jamie Platz Family YMCA, Castle Downs Family YMCA, Don Wheaton Family YMCA and the William Lutsky Family YMCA are offering free access to showers, recreation facilities and drop in programming to anyone evacuated.
Transit Service
Both conventional Edmonton Transit Service and DATS are helping move evacuees between the airport, Leduc, Wetaskiwin and Edmonton, and will continue to provide support as needed.
Donations
Edmontonians are asked not to bring donations of any kind to the EXPO Centre. Donations and volunteers are not needed at this time.
Residents interested in making a donation for pets displaced by the wildfire can drop them off at the Edmonton Humane Society, 13620 163 St NW, between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Monetary donations can also be made through the United Way, Red Cross and Goba Care.
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