Alberta Wildfires 2024
Canadian Red Cross Support
Personalized Recovery Support
One-time Holiday Financial Assistance
Support to Small Businesses and Not-for-Profits Program
Grants for Community Organizations
Canadian Red Cross Response
Recovery & Insurance Resources
Mental Health and Wellbeing Resources
Canadian Red Cross Support
The Canadian Red Cross continues to work closely with provincial and municipal governments and Indigenous leadership to support individuals, families and communities impacted by the 2024 Alberta Wildfires. The Red Cross is actively committed to wildfire recovery and building community resilience with our support and granting programs for individuals, households, small businesses and not-for-profits.The Red Cross has supported those evacuated from Jasper through financial assistance, accommodation support, emergency supplies and service referrals.
Personalized Recovery Support: in person and virtual services
The Canadian Red Cross is offering personalized recovery support to individuals and families impacted by the 2024 Alberta Wildfires. Visit our program page for more information about this support and how you can access it.To assist with accessing information and services as well as referrals to available resources, the Canadian Red Cross Case Management team will be available in person at the following locations:
Jasper:
Community Outreach Services
627 Patricia Street
Hours of operation: Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. MT
Note: Canadian Red Cross will not be working from this location between December 23, 2024 and January 6, 2025 inclusively. In person support will resume on January 7, 2025.
Hinton:
Unit 4, 217 Pembina Ave
Hours of operation: Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. MT. Closed from 12 to 1 p.m. Closed weekends and statutory holidays.
Note: Canadian Red Cross will not be working from this location between December 23, 2024 and January 6, 2025 inclusively. In person support will resume on January 7, 2025.
Appointments are strongly recommended — walk-ins may not always be accommodated.
To book an appointment, please call 1-800-863-6582 or email ABfires2024@redcross.ca.
Virtual
Virtual services will be available throughout this time by contacting us via email at ABFires2024@redcross.ca or by calling 1-800-863-6582 as follows:
- December 23, 2024 - 8:30am to 4:30pm (MST)
- December 24, 2024 - 8:30am to 12pm (MST)
- December 25 & 26, 2024 - CLOSED
- December 27, 2024 - 8:30am to 4:30pm (MST)
- December 30, 2024 - 8:30am to 4:30pm (MST)
- December 31, 2024 - 8:30am - 12pm (MST)
- January 1, 2025 - CLOSED
- January 2, 2025 - 8:30am to 4:30pm (MST)
- January 3, 2025 - 8:30am to 4:30pm (MST)
One-time Holiday Financial Assistance to Jasperites
Starting December 10, 2024, the Canadian Red Cross is offering an additional $500 in one-time holiday financial assistance to support eligible households who were previously registered, authenticated, and living in Jasper at the time of the wildfires.This support is to help cover costs and expenses related to wildfire recovery over this holiday season. The Canadian Red Cross will contact eligible households by email with more information on how to access the holiday financial assistance.
Please note the Canadian Red Cross will not ask for people’s Social Insurance Number, banking information or credit card number to receive this support.
Support to Small Businesses and Not-for-Profits Program
The Canadian Red Cross recognizes that support to small businesses and not-for-profit organizations is essential to the recovery of people and communities impacted by the 2024 Alberta Wildfires. The Red Cross is offering financial assistance to eligible small businesses and not-for-profit organizations that were directly impacted by the 2024 Alberta Wildfires. Visit our program page for more information about eligibility requirements and the application process.Grants for Community Organizations
The Canadian Red Cross recognizes the important role that community organizations play every day in their communities, and especially after a disaster. The Red Cross is offering grant funding to eligible community organizations who are contributing to the recovery of fire-impacted communities or are themselves recovering from the impacts of the 2024 Alberta Wildfires. Visit our grants page for more information about available grants.Please email CRCgrants@redcross.ca for more information or to receive an application form.
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 during registration or 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 to invite you to register or receive assistance.Canadian Red Cross Response*
As part of its emergency support to people evacuated from Jasper, the Canadian Red Cross has:- Distributed financial assistance to more than 4,000 households across all Canadian Red Cross programs.
- Mobilized more than 460 personnel to support the response.
- Supported more than 1,600 families with hotel accommodations and food on behalf of the City of Edmonton.
- Provided support at 6 reception centres; operated the Humanitarian Service Centre in Hinton and the Re-Entry Welcome Centre in Jasper.
- Engaged in more than 4,200 conversations around safety and well-being.
- Distributed emergency supplies to people returning home in Jasper, including more than 3,000 clean-up kits, 2,000 teddy bears and 3,000 blankets across several sites.
Wildfire Information and Support
Recovery & Insurance Resources
The Canadian Red Cross has created the following resources to help you in your recovery after a wildfire.- Wildfire Information and Support
- Canadian Red Cross Guide to Wildfire Recovery: A step-by-step guide for information on what to do when you return home after a fire.
- Canadian Red Cross Guide to Home Fire Recovery: A step-by-step guide on what to do if you have experienced a fire in your home.
- Wildfire Event Checklist & Tips: General checklists and tips for navigating recovery, including how to keep documents together and organized, who to hire and not hire, who should be notified of the fire damage, reminders of what to consider, and tips for navigating potential fire insurance claims.
- 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.
If you have insurance for fire events, consider reviewing the following resources.
- Understanding Insurance for Homeowners: A guide on the most common types of insurance policies for all types of disasters.
- Fire Insurance Fundamentals: An infographic about insurance coverage for fire events and claims.
- Submitting a Claim for Homeowners: A guide on what homeowners should expect during the insurance claims process and how to appeal decisions you disagree with.
- Cash Settlements - What to Consider: A guide to how a cash settlement works and how your payout might be less than you anticipate.
- Tip Sheet for Tenants - Renters in a Fire: A factsheet on insurance coverage for tenants in fire events, including the items that would be covered under the landlord’s insurance policy and what would be covered under a renter’s / tenant’s insurance policy.
- Substantial Repair & Reconstruction 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.
Mental Health and Wellbeing Resources
Emergencies affect our wellbeing and mental health, disrupting our routines and access to social support. Individuals, families, and communities can be impacted with little warning and recovery can seem overwhelming. Review the guides below and reach out for help and support for yourself and your loved ones.- List of mental health services available in Jasper on the Municipality of Jasper’s website.
- Guide to Disaster Recovery, Caregivers and Parents: a guide with information on coping mechanisms and stress symptoms in children, with tips for caregivers and parents.
- Coping with Crisis: a guide on what to look for and expect during times of increased stress, and information on how to cope.
- Guidebook for Wellbeing in Recovery: a guide with information and practical tips and worksheets on how to support yourself and others following a disaster.
- Preparing for and Coping with the Effects of a Disaster or Emergency
- Moving Through Recovery: A Guide for Holidays: The Red Cross has gathered some information on stress, and tips for taking care of yourself and others during holidays.
If you experience reactions that make it difficult to function normally over a long period of time, seek help. One option is to contact your local health facility, or a local crisis support line. For immediate assistance anywhere in Canada, call Talk Suicide Canada to connect to a crisis responder at 1-833-456-4566.
National Support Resources
- Canadian Mental Health Association: For links to support and resources in your area.
- First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line: 1-855-242-3310
- Kids Help Phone - 24-hour bilingual and anonymous phone counselling, online counselling and referral service for children and youth.
- Bell Let's Talk - List of organizations with helpful resources.