Wildfires force thousands of people to evacuate in Alberta

June 4, 2023—On Saturday, May 6, 2023, the province of Alberta declared a state of emergency as more than 90 wildfires burned in the northern part of the province. Numerous communities and tens of thousands of people are on evacuation orders or alerts.

The Canadian Red Cross is working with governments, Indigenous leadership and local municipalities to help those impacted by the fires. 

To date, thousands of relief supplies such as cots, blankets, pillows, and hygiene kits have been sent to locations throughout the impacted region at the request of local municipalities.

Further, at the request of the City of Edmonton, the Canadian Red Cross is assisting people evacuated from Drayton Valley and area with lodging support. 

The Canadian Red Cross stands ready to provide additional support as the full extent of needs becomes known.
  
In response to the wildfires, the Canadian Red Cross has launched the 2023 Alberta Fires appeal.  
  
Donations to the Canadian Red Cross 2023 Alberta Fires Appeal will be used for immediate and ongoing relief, recovery, and resilience efforts in response to fires, and community preparedness and risk reduction for future all-hazard disaster events within Alberta.