Northwest Territories wildfire evacuees begin arriving in Calgary

Relief and sadness  — that's what one Yellowknife woman says she's feeling after landing in Calgary Thursday. 

Beatrice Bernhardt is one of the 20,000 residents of the city and two nearby First Nations who have been ordered to be out by noon Friday while crews battle some of the more than 200 blazes that have forced thousands more to retreat to evacuation centres throughout Alberta and as far south as Calgary.

"It's just a relief to feel safe," she said.

"But it's also very painful when you think of what you're leaving behind and who might be stuck, and all the poor animals." 

Wildfire evacuees arriving in Alberta from the Northwest Territories by air and vehicle will be greeted at help centres across the province.

One reception centre is at the Calgary International Airport and the other Calgary centre for those arriving by car is set up at the Westin hotel at the airport. 

Red Deer, located about 150 kilometres north of Calgary, has also opened a reception centre at the G.H. Dawe Community Centre.

The City of Edmonton will begin accepting evacuees on Friday, August 18, at noon. The reception centre is located at the Edmonton Expo Centre.

The province is updating its website with reception and registration centre locations across Alberta, including information on whether they are at capacity.

Province arranged roadside supports, free camping for evacuees

The provincial government has said in a release they are in communication with N.W.T. governance and working to connect evacuees to supports, "during this difficult time."

The province has set up roadside supports and roving patrols for those who are driving south including a refuelling station at Steen River, water and washrooms. There are also mechanics, tow trucks and tire repair services at the ready.

Registered evacuees can also gain access to free campsites in Alberta. To access that, people must first register at an evacuation centre, then call Alberta Parks at 1-877-537-2757 to be connected to an open campsite.

The centre in Red Deer has the ability to welcome up to 1,000 N.W.T. evacuees.

The two centres in Calgary can provide support for up to 5,000 evacuees, said Iain Buschell, director of Emergency Management and Community Safety with the city.

"We know that this is a difficult time for those in Yellowknife and the surrounding areas and the thousands of people who are fleeing to escape the fires," he said.

Buschell says Calgary's Municipal Emergency Plan has been activated.

In a statement, the Calgary airport said on top of the flights anticipated Thursday, they expect "several flights to arrive over the coming days" carrying wildfire evacuees.

Along with connecting people to accommodations, the Calgary centres will provides onsite resources for emotional wellness and both the Calgary and Red Deer centres can help with people's pets.

In Edmonton, officials said the centre in their city will provide all immediate needs for evacuees including temporary lodging, food services, clothing, pet day care and health care.  Evacuees can bring their pets, but are encouraged to not leave animals in vehicles due to the hot temperatures expected. 

"Though a difficult situation brings you to our city, know you are safe here and have our support," said Edmonton city manager, Andre Corbould.

Buschell is asking that donations not be brought to either of the centres in Calgary but that people instead check the N.W.T. official website for recommended organizations that are best positioned to help.

In N.W.T., Canada Task Force 2 — Alberta's nationally-affiliated provincial disaster response team — deployed 10 personnel to help at the emergency operations centres and incidents command posts in areas in and around Yellowknife.

Alberta Health Services is also collaborating with the N.W.T. and so far has transferred 45 N.W.T. residents in continuing care to continuing care spaces throughout Alberta.

N.W.T. evacuees can register here on the N.W.T. government website to access supports. Evacuees who have registered at Alberta receptions centres are not required to fill out that form.

In Alberta, evacuees looking for information can call the toll-free Alberta Wildfire Resource Line at 310-4455 beginning  8 a.m. Friday. That line will be open seven days a week between 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.