2021 British Columbia Fires

man in office talking on phone
To access personalized support during recovery and housing repair and reconstruction support
To access interim housing assistance
For information on support for debris removal
To support those impacted with a donation
For additional resources
We want to hear from you
 

Personalized support during recovery and housing repair and reconstruction support

The Canadian Red Cross continues to offer personalized recovery support to people impacted by the 2021 B.C. Fires. Red Cross case management teams will work directly with people to discuss their unique needs and help them navigate their recovery journey and access available supports. This may include support for planning their return home, understanding insurance and community resources, providing financial assistance to access mental health services, as well as providing referrals and information to help people make decisions and inform their next steps.

The Red Cross is also working with homeowners who have been unable to return home following the 2021 B.C. Fires through housing repair and reconstruction support.

Eligible homeowners may receive financial support to help meet their immediate needs, clean up their property and/or assist with expenses related to the repair or rebuilding of their home.

Visit the Red Cross case management team in person.

Upcoming Schedule for in-person support:

February 2024:

Lytton: Kumsheen Rafting Resort “The Barn.” Kumsheen Rafting Resort “The Barn” 1345 BC-1, Lytton, BC
February 27, 28, and 29 (9:00a.m.-3:00p.m.)

Vernon: Prestige Hotel (Okanagan Room) 4411 32 St., Vernon, BC.
February 21

Monte Lake: Westwold Legion 4651 Kamloops-Vernon Hwy, Westwold, BC
February 22

March 2024:

Lytton: Kumsheen Rafting Resort “The Barn.” Kumsheen Rafting Resort “The Barn” 1345 BC-1, Lytton, BC
March 19, 20, and 21 (9:00a.m. - 3:00p.m.)

Vernon:
Please contact your case manager for a virtual appointment.

Monte Lake:
Please contact your case manager for a virtual appointment.

April 2024:

Lytton: Kumsheen Rafting Resort “The Barn.” Kumsheen Rafting Resort “The Barn” 1345 BC-1, Lytton, BC
April 23, 24, and 25 (9:00a.m. - 3:00p.m.)

Vernon:
Please contact your case manager for a virtual appointment.

Monte Lake:
Please contact your case manager for a virtual appointment.

May 2024:

Lytton: Kumsheen Rafting Resort “The Barn.” Kumsheen Rafting Resort “The Barn” 1345 BC-1, Lytton, BC
May 14, 15, and 16 (9:00a.m. - 3:00p.m.)

Vernon:
Please contact your case manager for a virtual appointment.

Monte Lake:
Please contact your case manager for a virtual appointment.

If you have been impacted by the 2021 B.C. Fires and would like to inquire about eligibility for these services, you are welcome to meet with our case management team. Please contact the Red Cross by calling 1-800-863-6582 from Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. PST to request an appointment to discuss your unique needs for support. A private and confidential appointment will then be arranged with your household representative. Appointments may take place in-person, over the phone or virtually. You may also reach us at BCRecoverySupport@redcross.ca.

Accommodation Support

The Red Cross is working with households who have been unable to return home to their primary residence following the 2021 B.C. Fires to provide them with access to housing supports and support their transition to longer-term housing.

If you have been impacted by the 2021 B.C. Fires and would like to inquire about housing supports, please contact the Red Cross by calling 1-800-863-6582 from Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. PST to speak to a Case Manager.

Debris removal

People who have suffered damage or loss to their residence as a result of the 2021 B.C. Fires and do not have insurance or have inadequate insurance coverage can contact their local authorities for more information on support for debris removal. Information for people in the Thompson-Nicola Regional district can find program information here and people in the Regional District of Central Okanagan can find information here.

Donor Updates 

Donations are used for immediate and ongoing relief efforts, long-term recovery, resiliency, and preparedness for future events in British Columbia and impacted regions, including consequential events related to the fires.

Additional Resources

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. Key local crisis lines are listed below and specialised crisis lines are services can also be found here.

  • 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433): for individuals who are or know someone who is having thoughts of suicide. The service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and in up to 140 languages. Operated in partnership with Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention Centre of B.C.
  • 310-Mental Health (310-6789 - no need to dial an area code):for individuals who would like emotional support, information and resources specific to mental health in British Columbia. The service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is toll-free anywhere in British Columbia (no need to dial an area code). View the Canadian Red Cross Moving Through Recovery: Guide for the Holidays.
  • Kids Help Phone (1-800-668-6868 or text 686868): Kids Help Phone is Canada’s only 24/7 national service offering professional counselling, information, referrals and volunteer-led, text-based support for young people in English and French. Now, Indigenous people can connect with an Indigenous volunteer crisis responder, when available, by messaging FIRST NATIONS, INUIT or METIS to 686868 for young people and 741741 for adults or through Facebook Messenger.

We want to hear from you

The mission of the Canadian Red Cross is to help those in times of need. We are always trying to improve our systems, processes, and programs to better serve you. We encourage you to provide feedback on your experience or interactions with us.  If you would like to share any feedback or have questions, please email us at CRCfeedback3@redcross.ca.

If you would like a response to your email, please ensure to include your full name, address, current phone number and as much detail and specifics as possible. These details will help us to better respond to your email.

Your feedback is important to us. Due to the high volume of emails we receive, we will respond to your email as soon as possible. For journalists and media outlets, please find a listing of all media contacts here.