Edmonton helps respond to Slave Lake wildfires Emergency

The City of Edmonton and partner agencies have opened a reception centre for evacuees of the Town of Slave Lake and area, and Edmonton’s Fire Rescue Services is providing personnel and equipment to help the Province combat wildfires in Northern Alberta.

Approximately 40 Slave Lake residents are being sheltered at the reception centre that has been set up in the Edmonton Expo Centre at Northlands. The centre is prepared to receive additional evacuees, including about 100 people expected to arrive later. The City of Edmonton’s Disaster Social Services is supporting the operations of the centre in collaboration with the Canadian Red Cross and the Salvation Army.

"This is an incredibly tragic circumstance and we want to do all we can to assist our neighbours to the north," said Mayor Stephen Mandel. "I'm very proud of the City employees who have answered the call to help, and we know Edmontonians will rally to help people should that be needed as well."

The City has also sent 55 fire personnel and four fire trucks to the Slave Lake area to help tackle the fires.

“Firefighters safety is our number one priority. In the coming hours and days we will ensure our crews have the resources they need to provide an effective and safe response to this situation” said Deputy Fire Chief John Lamb. “Fire fighters know how devastating it is to lose a home, and today our thoughts are with the citizens of Slave Lake.”

In Edmonton, the City will provide an update on local fire conditions later today.

Donations are not required at the Reception Centre

Donations of supplies are not required at this time. Should this situation change, the City will alert people online and through the media. Edmontonians are asked to not visit the reception centre as this interferes with logistical support and to respect the privacy of the residents in the temporary shelter. Individuals and organizations that wish to provide assistance are asked to contribute by calling Red Cross at 1-800-418-1111 or online at redcross.ca.

Contact numbers

Call toll-free 310-4455 to access current information about the wildfire situation such as Red Cross information, highway closures, phone numbers, and what websites to visit for more information.

Displaced residents are encouraged to call the Red Cross Central Registration Inquiry Bureau 1-800-565-4483 to register their information and check on loved ones. People who are trying to locate individuals who have been evacuated can call the Red Cross toll-free number. Red Cross can only provide info on people who have registered.

Any family members who are looking for information on where medical patients were moved can call Alberta Health Services at 1-866-301-2668.

For more information:

In Edmonton: 311

Outside Edmonton: 780-442-5311

Email: [email protected]