Remaining flights from N.W.T. now being directed to Winnipeg, as evacuee centres in Calgary fill up

Hundreds of people displaced by the ongoing wildfires raging in the Northwest Territories are arriving in Alberta and the northern government is now directing remaining evacuation flights to Winnipeg, they said in a Friday update.

According to an update on the N.W.T. government website, as of 5:01 p.m. on the Calgary evacuation centres are "quickly reaching capacity."

The City of Calgary said in a statement that there was a rush Friday as flights arrived quickly causing some delays for those waiting assignment, but they are continuing to find accommodations for evacuees as they arrive.

Previously, city officials had said the centres had the capacity to welcome up to 5,000 evacuees. In Red Deer, officials had said they could handle up to 1,000.

The N.W.T. government website advised evacuees who are travelling by road and have yet to reach an evacuation centre to check the Government of Alberta's website to find the most recent list of evacuation centres that have capacity and are still accepting new evacuees. 

According to that website, the two reception centres in Calgary are still accepting evacuees, as is the reception centre in Red Deer.

The government communication says remaining evacuation flights from Yellowknife will now be directed to Winnipeg, and that information on those centres is incoming.

In an update Friday morning, the City of Calgary said the Calgary airport had received 15 evacuee flights from the N.W.T. with a total of 1,269 passengers, and that they expected 26 more flights on Friday carrying approximately 2,300 people.

Calgary reception centres have been set up since Thursday, one in the arrivals hall of the Calgary International Airport for those taking flights, the other at the Westin airport hotel.

These get evacuees set up with registration, accommodations, government services and mental health supports.

The reception centre in Red Deer, located about 150 kilometers north of Calgary, is located at the G.H. Dawe Community Centre.

Several Calgary businesses and organizations are stepping up to offer assistance, on top of provincial and federal aid.

"We are here to be as supportive as we can be, people are welcome in our city, we can take care of you, we are here for you," said Mayor Jyoti Gondek.

Accommodations

Evacuees travelling by road out of Yellowknife are being asked to find their own accommodations, while the smaller number of residents leaving by chartered evacuation planes are being directed to a reception centre at the airport, where they're connected with supports and found a place to stay.

That reception centre is in the arrivals area across from door 12.

As of late morning Friday, Calgary Emergency Management Agency had provided 495 hotel rooms for evacuees, as it expects more than two dozen flights to arrive from Yellowknife on Friday.

Those travelling by road who are unable to secure a place to stay can also visit one of the reception centres in Alberta to be connected to housing.

That reception centre is located at the Calgary Westin near the airport, at 671 Aero Dr. NE.

The Calgary Hotel Association say they have set aside about 2,500 rooms, paid for by the city, for wildfire evacuees.

They have urged the hotels that are participating to relax their pet policies. 

Evacuees are being asked to register either through the N.W.T. government website, or when they arrive at an evacuee reception centre in Alberta.

Registered evacuees can also camp free at provincial parks or campgrounds. Alberta Parks staff match people with available camp sites. Details are here.

Northwest Territories offers a one-time payment of $750 for evacuees aged 17 and over, once the order extends beyond seven days, and their employment has been disrupted.

Recreation

The six YMCA Calgary centres are offering their showering and recreation services free of charge to northern evacuees.

GoodLife Fitness is also letting evacuees shower and change in its change rooms, in 13 Calgary gyms and one in Red Deer.

Displaced northerners can also visit Heritage Park for free, the Calgary attraction announced Friday.

Mental health

Among the various mental health and crisis supports available widely, like 211, Alberta Health Services' addiction help line and Kids Help Phone, the Psychologists' Association of Alberta provides up to three free sessions with a psychologist.

This service is open to evacuees and first responders.

Pets

For people who are displaced and traveling with pets, it is recommended to bring a seven to 14 day supply of their food, water and medication needs, when possible.

Though some reception centres accept animals, not all in the province will, so the provincial government advises having a back-up plan for your animal care.

The city is partnering with city shelters and local organizations to house pets.

The Calgary Humane Society says evacuees who do not have a place for their pet to stay can be connected to foster parents through their emergency boarding program.

Animals can be boarded for up to 10 days, need to be vaccinated, and the owner cannot visit the pet during their boarding, though they can call to check in on their pet. 

Parachutes for Pets, a local non-profit, is offering pet supplies and acting as a 24/7 resource to connect people and their pets to kennels, vet care and foster homes.

How Albertans can help

A representative with the Better Business Bureau says that people hoping to donate to aid organizations should do some research before they pull out their credit card, to make sure they are legitimate.

They can use the bureaus registry here, to look up organizations' charity reports.

"Find a charity that is already working in that space, that has a track record that can be effective," said Wes Lafortune with the Better Business Bureau.

The City of Calgary urges people not to bring donations to their reception centres.

Canadian Red Cross has launched a fire appeal.

United Way NWT is accepting donations.

The Yellowknife Community foundation has a Resilient Communities Fund to support communities across the N.W.T. in the long-term recovery efforts that will follow the emergency response.

The Yellowknife Women's Society chartered an aircraft to help expedite the evacuation for residents with its shelter and supporting housing, according to a Cabin Radio report.

To support pets of evacuees, the territorial government recommends giving to Veterinarians Without Borders and the N.W.T. SPCA.