2023 British Columbia Fires
Personalized Recovery Support
Housing Repair and Reconstruction
Resources for people impacted
Wellbeing resources
Make a donation
The Canadian Red Cross continues to work alongside the Government of British Columbia, local authorities, and Indigenous governing bodies on how we can best support individuals, families and communities impacted by the fires in British Columbia.
Resources for those impacted by the fires are available below.
Personalized Recovery Support
Thanks to the generosity of donors, the Canadian Red Cross is offering personalized recovery support to the people most impacted by the 2023 wildfires in British Columbia. This includes homeowners, tenants and those who live in a community-owned home whose primary residence was destroyed or incurred major damage.
The Canadian Red Cross works with individuals and families to help them navigate their recovery journey and access available support, while 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 to help with decisions, as well as providing financial assistance to access mental health services.
If you have been impacted by the 2023 BC wildfires and would like to find out more about personalized recovery support, please call 1-833-966-4225 (Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. PST) to book a private and confidential appointment with a Case Manager. Appointments will be either in-person, over the phone or virtually.
November 2024
Chase: Chase Community Hall 547 Shuswap Ave
November 5, 6, 7 (9:00am - 4:30pm)
Housing Repair and Reconstruction Program
The Canadian Red Cross is assisting homeowners whose primary residence has sustained major damage or been destroyed as a result of the 2023 BC Wildfires to repair and rebuild their home.
Our Case Managers work directly with you to discuss your unique needs. They can assist 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 meet their immediate needs and with costs related to housing repair and reconstruction, including:
Assistance is determined on a case-by-case basis and is not intended to duplicate insurance coverage or other assistance programs. While tenants are not eligible for housing repair and reconstruction supports, they may be eligible to receive other recovery supports through a Canadian Red Cross Case Manager.
Government of British Columbia support
For more information on support available from the Government of British Columbia, please consult the EmergencyInfoBC website.
Resources for people impacted
Following an emergency or disaster, a person may experience a range of thoughts, feelings and behaviours that can be intense, confusing, and frightening. These experiences trigger responses that can include physical, emotional, and behavioural reactions. There are many resources to help you, your family, and your community.
Learn more about Coping with Crisis, including ways that you can care for yourself and your loved ones during an emergency. If you are concerned for the immediate safety of yourself or someone else, call a local crisis support line or 911 right away.
Additional resources are listed below and specialized crisis lines or services can also be found here.
We want to hear from you
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.
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 will never ask for your banking information, social insurance number or credit card number in order to register. The Canadian Red Cross communicates only via email, phone, or in-person and would never send a link through a text message to register. The 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.
Protect yourself from scams and fraud (antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca).
Housing Repair and Reconstruction
Resources for people impacted
Wellbeing resources
Make a donation
The Canadian Red Cross continues to work alongside the Government of British Columbia, local authorities, and Indigenous governing bodies on how we can best support individuals, families and communities impacted by the fires in British Columbia.
Resources for those impacted by the fires are available below.
Personalized Recovery Support
Thanks to the generosity of donors, the Canadian Red Cross is offering personalized recovery support to the people most impacted by the 2023 wildfires in British Columbia. This includes homeowners, tenants and those who live in a community-owned home whose primary residence was destroyed or incurred major damage.
The Canadian Red Cross works with individuals and families to help them navigate their recovery journey and access available support, while 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 to help with decisions, as well as providing financial assistance to access mental health services.
If you have been impacted by the 2023 BC wildfires and would like to find out more about personalized recovery support, please call 1-833-966-4225 (Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. PST) to book a private and confidential appointment with a Case Manager. Appointments will be either in-person, over the phone or virtually.
Visit the Red Cross case management team in person
Upcoming Schedule for in-person support:November 2024
Chase: Chase Community Hall 547 Shuswap Ave
November 5, 6, 7 (9:00am - 4:30pm)
Housing Repair and Reconstruction Program
The Canadian Red Cross is assisting homeowners whose primary residence has sustained major damage or been destroyed as a result of the 2023 BC Wildfires to repair and rebuild their home.
Our Case Managers work directly with you to discuss your unique needs. They can assist 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 meet their immediate needs and 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 supports
Assistance is determined on a case-by-case basis and is not intended to duplicate insurance coverage or other assistance programs. While tenants are not eligible for housing repair and reconstruction supports, they may be eligible to receive other recovery supports through a Canadian Red Cross Case Manager.
Government of British Columbia support
For more information on support available from the Government of British Columbia, please consult the EmergencyInfoBC website.
Resources for people impacted
- Review the step-by-step Canadian Red Cross Guide to Wildfire Recovery for information on what to do when you return home after wildfires.
- Home Inventory Checklist: a list of your home inventory which is helpful both for insurance and other assistance programs. In the case of an insurance claim, an insurance provider would use a similar form to assess the cost to repair or replace lost or damaged items. These items are referred to as home contents.
- Substantial Repair and Reconstruction Contract Checklist: Hiring a contractor for damage or rebuild? Use this checklist with tips as a guide when reviewing the contract prior to signing with a contractor.
Following an emergency or disaster, a person may experience a range of thoughts, feelings and behaviours that can be intense, confusing, and frightening. These experiences trigger responses that can include physical, emotional, and behavioural reactions. There are many resources to help you, your family, and your community.
Learn more about Coping with Crisis, including ways that you can care for yourself and your loved ones during an emergency. If you are concerned for the immediate safety of yourself or someone else, call a local crisis support line or 911 right away.
Additional resources are listed below and specialized crisis lines or services can also be found here.
- Canadian Mental Health Association: For links to support and resources in your area.
- 310-Mental Health (310-6789 - no need to dial an area code): for individuals who would like emotional support, information and resources specific to mental health in British Columbia. The service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is toll-free anywhere in British Columbia (no need to dial an area code).
- First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line: 1-855-242-3310
- Kids Help Phone - 24-hour bilingual and anonymous phone counselling, online counselling and referral service for children and youth.
- Bell Let's Talk - List of organizations with helpful resources.
We want to hear from you
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.
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 will never ask for your banking information, social insurance number or credit card number in order to register. The Canadian Red Cross communicates only via email, phone, or in-person and would never send a link through a text message to register. The 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.
Protect yourself from scams and fraud (antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca).