Alberta Fires Response 2016
Photo: Canadian Red Cross
In early May 2016, a wildfire tore through Fort McMurray, Alberta, destroying neighbourhoods and threatening an entire community. More than 80,000 people fled through smoke and fire to reach safety.
In the largest wildfire evacuation in the province’s history, many residents left with almost nothing and some with nowhere to go.
Appeal Update
The Canadian Red Cross is committed to providing information on our operations and on how donations are being spent. As of March 31, 2026, all funds donated to the 2016 Alberta Fires Appeal have been spent or committed.
2016 Alberta Fires Appeal Update, as of March 31, 2026
Red Cross response
The Red Cross extends its gratitude and thanks for the outpouring of generosity to assist those impacted by the wildfire. Individuals, governments, community groups and corporate partners across Canada and around the world rallied together to assist people who were evacuated from their homes due to the fires.
Strengthening Communities Through Partnerships
Recovery is stronger when it is community-led. The Red Cross has invested $53 million in over 145 partnerships with local and regional organizations in the Wood Buffalo region, Edmonton and Calgary, that deliver essential recovery services for people impacted by the fires. This includes 22 Indigenous-led partnerships to support culturally appropriate programs and emerging community priorities.
Thanks to our donors, this support continues to make a lasting impact—helping individuals, families, businesses, and entire communities rebuild and thrive. To support ongoing recovery and mitigation efforts, the Red Cross is partnering with the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo to help enhance their wildfire response, preparedness and community protection abilities in the communities impacted by the 2016 wildfires and subsequent emergencies.
Funding will support:
- the Regional Emergency Services with equipment, training, staffing and other activities contributing to their wildfire mitigation and response program.
- the FireSmart Home Rebate Program.
Support for Individuals and Families
Recovery from an event such as a wildfire is a process that takes time. With more than $240 million invested in supporting with both immediate needs and ongoing recovery, the Red Cross has helped thousands of individuals and families with:
- Direct financial assistance during the evacuation and throughout recovery to cover costs associated with urgent needs
- Transportation to return home after the fires
- Replacement of household items
- Support for housing costs including rent, mortgage, utilities, and temporary lodging
- Repair and reconstruction of uninsured homes
- Emotional support and programs that foster long-term community resilience
More than 16,000 families in the region received recovery assistance.
Support for Small Businesses
To help the local economy and support livelihoods, the Red Cross provided more than $29 million in direct financial aid to 3,296 eligible small businesses. This assistance helped to cover:
- Uninsured losses
- Equipment rentals
- Clean-up and debris removal
- Minor repairs
- Moving and storage costs
- Lease payments
- Utility hookups and connection fees
- Inventory replacement
Mental Health and Community Wellness
Recognizing the emotional toll of emergencies, the Red Cross prioritized support to promote mental health and wellness:
- More than 20,000 individuals have received mental health and psychosocial support in partnership with local organizations
- Over 1,200 people accessed counselling and psychotherapy services through programs supported by Red Cross
- More than 13,000 children and youth received wellness support
- Over 10,000 individuals took part in Indigenous-led recovery events focused on healing and community connection
Inspiring stories of resilience and recovery
During the disaster and on the long road of recovery, it was inspiring to see the humanity that rose from the ashes. There were so many stories of people helping people, and below is a sample of those stories showcasing the power of that humanity.