Canadian Red Cross support to date
Resources for people impacted
Wellbeing resources
Make a donation
The Canadian Red Cross remains ready to support communities and individuals impacted by fires in the Northwest Territories as requested by local municipalities, Indigenous leadership, and the territorial government.
Resources for those impacted by the fires are available below.
FRAUD ALERT: Unfortunately, there are some people who may try to take advantage of those impacted by a disaster through fraudulent tactics. The Canadian Red Cross will never ask for your banking information, social insurance number or credit card number in order to register. The Canadian Red Cross communicates only via email, phone, or in-person and would never send a link through a text message to register. The Red Cross encourages people to stay informed from credible sources, such as the Government of Canada’s website for fraud prevention tips. If you suspect you have been a victim of fraudulent activity, please contact your local police authority.
Protect yourself from scams and fraud (antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca).
Canadian Red Cross support to date
At the request of the City of Edmonton, the Canadian Red Cross assisted people evacuated from Yellowknife and the Northwest Territories with lodging support.
At the request of the Government of Northwest Territories Health and Social Services, the Red Cross supported registration services in Fort Simpson for people in the Northwest Territories who were under evacuation order due to fires.
At the request of the Chief and Council of K’atl’odeeche First Nation, Red Cross personnel were on site in the community to support the re-entry of residents. Red Cross personnel provided After-the-Fire and Clean-up kits and blankets for residents who were re-entering the community following evacuation due to fires in N.W.T.. Red Cross also provided emotional support.
At the request of the Government of Manitoba, the Canadian Red Cross provided support to people impacted by wildfires in the Northwest Territories who stayed in Manitoba. The Red Cross welcomed people at hotels as they arrived and provided comfort and care.
At the request of and in close coordination with the Government of Northwest Territories, the Canadian Red Cross helped people who were evacuated due to the fires reconnect with loved ones who were also evacuated. The support concluded on September 10.
At the request of the Alberta Emergency Management Agency and local municipalities, the Canadian Red Cross provided supplies throughout Alberta as requested. Supplies include cots, pillows, blankets, and hygiene kits.
Additional resources
- Consult the Government of Northwest Territories website or Facebook page or call 1-844-259-1793 for more information on emergency services and support that may be available to you.
- On September 18, the City of Edmonton closed its Emergency Reception Centre at the Clareview Community Recreation Centre at 3804 139 Avenue N.W. People under evacuation alert due to fires in NWT should contact the Government of the Northwest Territories or their local leadership for information on available support.
- Review the step-by-step Canadian Red Cross Guide to Wildfire Recovery for information on what to do when you return home after wildfires.
- Home Inventory Checklist: a list of your home inventory which is helpful both for insurance and other assistance programs. In the case of an insurance claim, an insurance provider would use a similar form to assess the cost to repair or replace lost or damaged items. These items are referred to as home contents.
- Substantial Repair and Reconstruction Contract Checklist: Hiring a contractor for damage or rebuild? Use this checklist with tips as a guide when reviewing the contract prior to signing with a contractor.
Wellbeing and Coping with Crisis
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 of yourself or someone else, call a local crisis support line or 911 right away.
Additional resources are listed below and specialized crisis lines or services can also be
found here.
How to support those impacted by the fires
Those wishing to help people impacted by the fires are encouraged to make a financial donation to the 2023 Northwest Territories Fires in one of the following ways:
Donations to the Canadian Red Cross will be used for immediate and ongoing relief, recovery and resilience efforts in response to the fires in the Northwest Territories. Donations may also support communities assisting those impacted, as well as preparedness and risk reduction for future all-hazard disaster events within the Northwest Territories and the region.