Skip to content
Français

Atlantic Canada: Wildfire Responses 2023

Latest Reports:

Nova Scotia & Atlantic Canada Fires Update, as of March 31, 2025

Housing Repair and Reconstruction Program


For more related to the 2025 Newfoundland Wildfires, please visit 2025 Newfoundland Wildfires Response.

 

Nova Scotia: Wildfire Response

The Canadian Red Cross continues to support those impacted by the 2023 wildfires in Nova Scotia as they work through their recovery. If you have been contacted by Canadian Red Cross and have questions about support that may be available, you can call and leave a message at 1-800-863-6582, Someone will respond to you within 2 business days.


Residential Mitigation Incentive Program 

The Canadian Red Cross was offering financial incentives to eligible residents living in areas impacted by the 2023 Nova Scotia Wildfires who were interested in completing mitigative activities to be better prepared and help reduce the risks and impacts of future wildfire events. This program targeted households who were registered and authenticated with the Canadian Red Cross due to the 2023 Nova Scotia Wildfires, and who did not experience any damage, or experienced only minor damage, to their properties. Please note that the application period for this program closed on October 31, 2025. Visit our program page for more information.


Personalized Recovery Support

Thanks to the support of donors, as well as matching funds from the Government of Nova Scotia and the Government of Canada, the Canadian Red Cross is offering personalized recovery support to the people most impacted by wildfires in Nova Scotia.

The Canadian Red Cross works with individuals and families to help them navigate their recovery journey, ensuring they are part of the planning and decision-making processes.

Red Cross support may include helping those impacted with planning their return home, understanding insurance and community resources, providing information and referrals, as well as providing financial assistance to access mental health services for those who have experienced major damage to, or the destruction of, their primary home.

If you have been impacted by the Atlantic wildfires and would like to find out more about personalized recovery support, please call 1-800-863-6582 and leave a message to book a private and confidential appointment with a Case Manager. Someone will respond to you within 2 business days. Appointments will be either in-person, over the phone, or virtually.


Housing Repair and Reconstruction Program

The Canadian Red Cross is working with homeowners whose primary residence has sustained major damage or been destroyed as a result of the 2023 Nova Scotia Wildfires through housing repair and reconstruction support.

Our Case Managers can support you with putting together a recovery plan, understanding insurance and community resources, as well as providing referrals and information to help you make decisions and inform next steps in your recovery journey.

Eligible homeowners may be able to receive financial assistance to help with costs related to housing repair and reconstruction, including:

  • Professional services (e.g., engineer, financial and/or legal professionals)
  • Expenses related to the clean-up of their property and home
  • Expenses related to the repair or rebuilding of their home, including mitigation activities
  • Expenses related to moving to a new location
  • Mental Health and wellbeing support

Assistance is determined on a case-by-case basis and is not intended to duplicate insurance coverage or other assistance programs.

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 communicates only via email, phone, or in person and would never send a link through a text message for a person to click on to receive funds. We will never ask for your social insurance number, bank account information, or credit card number during your registration or to receive assistance. The Canadian 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.

How to access help in times of crisis

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 the Suicide Crisis Helpline at 9-8-8.

National Support Resources


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.