Media Information Update: Atlantic Canada Wildfires

In this issue: 

Newfoundland and Labrador wildfires

• Assistance provided
• Comfort Centre
• Registration numbers
• Financial support
• Financial Appeal

Nova Scotia wildfires

• Assistance provided
• Registration
• Return to community information
• Preparedness information
• Fraud Alert
• Additional resources for people impacted by wildfires 

Newfoundland and Labrador Wildfires

The Canadian Red Cross is providing support to individuals and families evacuated from their communities due to wildfires in Newfoundland and Labrador. Please visit the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador website for up-to-date details about the wildfire response: Alerts - Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
 

Comfort Centre

As of August 28, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has set up a comfort centre at the Salem Centre in Small Point to provide support and guidance to people affected by the wildfires in Newfoundland and Labrador as they begin to return home.

The Canadian Red Cross joins representatives from the Town of Small Point-Broad Cove-Blackhead-Adam’s Cove, and other organizations who are onsite to provide assistance to returning residents.

Support provided by the Canadian Red Cross includes items such as household clean up kits, water, registration, financial support on behalf of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, well-being support, referrals to other services and information on how to navigate insurance, rebuilding, and the journey to recovery. More information about the centre location, including hours of operation, may be found at redcross.ca/2025NLWildfires. 

Registration

As of September 4, the Canadian Red Cross has registered more than 7,100 people from more than 3,400 households evacuated due to wildfires in Newfoundland and Labrador.

People under mandatory evacuations are encouraged to register with the Red Cross by:

• calling 1-800- 863-6582 between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., seven days a week; or 
• online or by visiting the in-person location listed at redcross.ca/2025NLwildfires.

People impacted by the wildfires who registered with the Red Cross during the first week of evacuations must confirm their information with the Red Cross to ensure they have access to all supports available.

Registration with the Canadian Red Cross ensures that people can be contacted while away from home and can be reached with information and assistance on further Red Cross services that may be available during this time of need.

Financial assistance

On behalf of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Canadian Red Cross is distributing an additional $500 in financial assistance to each household whose Conception Bay North area primary residence was under an evacuation order for more than 14 days, due to wildfires in 2025. 

This assistance is meant to help people respond to ongoing needs during the evacuation period such as food and transportation, or clean-up supplies as they return to their community.

To access this assistance, people must be registered and authenticated by the Red Cross. Canadian Red Cross will verify eligibility set by the provincial government for this assistance based on information submitted during registration and information provided by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. People already registered with the Canadian Red Cross do not need to register again.
 

Donations

As of September 4, the Canadian Red Cross has raised more than $1.4 million for the 2025 Newfoundland and Labrador Wildfires Appeal. This amount does not include matching funds from the Government of Canada or the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.  

The 2025 Newfoundland & Labrador Wildfires Appeal will help people and communities impacted by fires in the province.

Financial donations to the 2025 Newfoundland & Labrador Wildfires Appeal can be made: 

• online at redcross.ca 
• by calling 1-800-418-1111 

The Government of Canada and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador will match every dollar donated to the Canadian Red Cross 2025 Newfoundland & Labrador Wildfires Appeal. 

• Every $1 donated will become $3 to support the families and individuals most impacted by wildfires. 
• Donation matching will be retroactive to August 14, when the appeal opened, and will end September 13.

Donations to the Canadian Red Cross will be used for assisting those impacted by the wildfires in Newfoundland and Labrador with immediate and ongoing relief and may include financial assistance, support to evacuees and the communities hosting them, recovery and resilience efforts in response to the wildfires, as well as supporting community preparedness and risk reduction for future all-hazard disaster events within Newfoundland and Labrador.

Nova Scotia Wildfires

At the request of the Government of Nova Scotia, and through a standing agreement with the province, the Canadian Red Cross is supporting people who evacuated due to wildfires in the County of Annapolis. The Red Cross is operating one shelter and reception site in Middleton. Support provided by the Red Cross includes registration, reception and information, emergency accommodations and hygiene kits. 

As of September 2, the evacuation order for people impacted by the Long Lake wildfire was partially lifted and, as of September 3, residents in some areas were allowed to return home. For more information on the phased re-entry and which areas remain under evacuation order, visit https://novascotia.ca/alerts/.

Registration

As of September 4, the Canadian Red Cross has registered 650 people from more than 370 households, evacuated due to wildfires in Nova Scotia.

Helpful Resources

Return to community:

Returning to community after a wildfire can be difficult. Use caution when entering your home. Work out what you need to do first. Take small steps. Wear leather gloves and heavy soled shoes to protect hands and feet. Discard any food, cosmetics and toiletries that have been exposed to heat, smoke, or soot (including food in glass jars and metal cans). For more information: Canadian Red Cross Guide to Wildfire Recovery

Preparedness:

The Red Cross urges people to follow directions from their local authorities and to take the necessary steps to stay safe.

• Families living in areas on evacuation alerts should be ready to leave their homes at a moment’s notice.
• The Red Cross recommends people set aside an emergency kit with items such as drinking water, food, cash, and a portable radio to self-sustain their household for at least three days.
• There are also steps you can take to prepare your home: Tips to get your home ready for wildfires - Canadian Red Cross

Additional resources on what to do before, during, and after a wildfire can be found at Wildfires: Before, During and After. 

Fraud Alert:

Individuals eligible for financial assistance will NOT need to provide their social insurance number, bank account information or credit card number during their registration or to receive assistance. In addition, the Red Cross will NOT ask for any form of payment in order to receive assistance.

The Canadian Red Cross communicates only via email, phone, or in person and would never send a link through a text message. If anyone has any doubts about the legitimacy of any form of communication from us, please reach out to the Red Cross.

The Red Cross encourages people to stay informed from credible sources, such as the Government of Canada’s website for fraud prevention tips. For anyone who suspects they have been a victim of fraudulent activity, please contact the local police authority.

Additional Resources:

Tips for avoiding donation scams
Why misinformation is dangerous, especially during emergencies
Coping with Crisis: expected reactions to abnormal events