It’s a tough fact to accept, but wildfire season is really now part of the annual calendar here in Canada.

Last year over 2,000 wildfires raged in B.C. while over 1,000 burned in Alberta—a record-setting year for hectares lost. And while the season has been calmer so far in 2024, wildfires are (by their very nature) unpredictable, so we all should hope for the best but be prepared for the worst.

That’s why we’ve compiled this list of resources, links to live updates and information for B.C. and Alberta residents (and visitors, too!) to keep everyone as prepared as possible for the least-wonderful time of the year. 

B.C.:

Where to find live updates:

The Government of B.C. provides updates and information about current wildfires, procedures and resources.

This live map of current fires shows who needs to evacuate and what areas have active fire bans.

Personal Preparedness:

The government of B.C. offers tips and resources regarding how to fireproof your house and property. 

Firesmart Canada is a national program that helps to increase neighbourhood resilience to wildfire and minimize its negative impacts.

Who to contact:

If you see a wildfire or smoke, immediately reach out by calling 1-800-663-5555 toll-free, or *5555 on a cell phone to report wildfires, smoke columns and violations of wildfire regulations in British Columbia.

The B.C. Wildfire Service App has a feature that lets you report pictures of fire or smoke to the authorities for expert analysis. The app can be downloaded here for Android users and here for Apple users. 

Call  1-888-336-7378, you will get information about fire danger ratings, regional fire prohibitions and more. 

First Nations Support: 

The First Nations Health Authorities provides information on anxiety management, evacuation procedures and tips on how to safely return home after a fire as well as other resources and tips. 

Where to Donate: 

United Way B.C.: The Wildfire Recovery Fund, used for individuals and families who lost their homes to wildfires, suffering communities and mental as well as physical support.

YMCA Southern Interior: To support wildfire evacuees, the YMCA of Southern Interior B.C. is offering free access to three of their facilities in Kelowna including the Kelowna Family Y, the Downtown Y, and H2O Adventure + Fitness Centre. By donating, the YMCA is supported in keeping those services free for people in need. 

B.C. Speaking for Animals: You can donate specifically to support animals affected by the wildfires as well as access information on how to prepare as a pet or livestock owner.

Cannery Brewing: By purchasing cans of Wildfire dark lager, the Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation gets support. A portion of every sale will be donated to the foundation that honours the work and sacrifices made by generations of firefighters in Canada. In Vancouver, cans can be bought at Denman Beer, Wine & Spirits, Viti Seymor, Parkway Liquor and other liquor stores. 

Volunteer opportunities: 

B.C. SPCA – Speaking for animals: By reaching out through to volunteers@spca.bc.ca you will be connected to the appropriate location/program. Their response teams include staff members and trained volunteers. 

Become a member of B.C. Search and Rescue and learn how to help during emergencies, evacuate people and much more. This is a volunteer position that is in demand all year round and helps with much more than just wildfire rescue. Find more information via their website.

Volunteering with the Canadian Red Cross is an additional option for people looking to offer their help. Find more information via their website.

What to do when dealing with smoke: 

  • Stay inside as much as possible and keep your windows and doors closed
  • Check the air quality index and the smoke forecast in your area before leaving the house 
  • If you cannot access clean air, wear masks such as N95 or KN95 to protect your lungs.
  • Portable air cleaners can reduce the impact of smoke in our homes.

 

Alberta: 

Where to Find Live Updates: 

The Alberta Wildfire Status Dashboard shows an interactive map of wildfires, their locations and stages of development.

Check the Alberta Emergency Alert regularly to find updates about evacuations and actions to take. 

You can also download the Alberta Wildfire Status App and report wildfires, get area-specific updates on evacuations and information about ongoing alerts. The app can be downloaded for Apple users here and for Android users here.

Personal Preparedness: 

Information on how to prep your property, ensure the safety of livestock and pets, and prepare your family for wildfires and possible evacuations can be found on the Government of Alberta website. 

In the case of a government-mandated evacuation, you can find information on your town, the process of evacuation, financial support and more here.

Who To Contact: 

If you spot a wildfire in a forested area immediately call 310-3473 to report your sighting to the responsible authorities. 

Do not hesitate to reach out to mental health professionals by calling 1-877-303-2642 if you feel overwhelmed by evacuations and fear for your livelihood.

First Nations Support: 

First Nations Wildfire Evacuations is a book born out of over 200 interviews with members of First Nation communities that had to evacuate in the past, it is a guide on how to care for elders, how to assess the threat level of wildfire and more.

Donations: 

The Canadian Red Cross set up a 2024 Alberta Wildfire Appeal aimed at providing funds for financial assistance and support for evacuated people and the communities that are hosting them and more. 

To support Jasper—one of the worst affected areas so far—a community relief fund has been established and all donations go directly to the efforts of fighting the wildfires in Jasper. 

Physical donations such as clothes and other personal items can be dropped off at 101B-56 Lincoln Park in Canmore, where a temporary donation centre has been set up. It operates between the hours of 9 am to 6 pm. 

Volunteer Opportunities: 

The Government of Alberta is looking for people who are willing to volunteer and help fight the current wildfires, to get the process started click here.

The Municipality of Jasper is also seeking volunteers for assistance with various needs such as food distribution, emotional support, childcare, first aid and more.