Wildfire Recovery Actions: Update 8

Recovery task force actions

• The Jasper Recovery Task Force continues to support the development of interim housing options for displaced residents, essential workers and workers to help rebuild Jasper. It is working closely with the Municipality of Jasper and Parks Canada to determine the best solutions to promote recovery in the area.
• The Municipality of Jasper's request for expressions of interest to provide interim housing options in and around the townsite has closed. Provincial officials are working with the municipality to evaluate the expressions of interest and determine the best options for consideration.
• Government supports for vulnerable individuals or those in acute financial need remain available; anyone who needs information on available government supports can contact the 24-hour Emergency Income Support Contact Centre at 1-866-644-5135 for more information.
• To date, almost $13 million has been donated to the 2024 Alberta Wildfires Appeal. Donations can still be made through the Canadian Red Cross. Alberta's government is working with the Canadian Red Cross to determine the best use of those funds, and how they can best serve the people of Jasper.

Eligibility for Emergency Evacuation Payments

• Residents affected by mandatory evacuation orders that exceed a minimum of seven days are eligible for one-time emergency evacuation payments of $1,250 for each adult and $500 for each child under the age of 18.
• Evacuees are encouraged to apply for these emergency payments online at evacuationpayment.alberta.ca, by calling the Alberta Supports Contact Centre at 1-877-644-9992 or by visiting an Alberta Supports office for assistance. Locations can be found at alberta.ca/alberta-supports.
• Applications for emergency evacuation payments will be open for 60 days after a specific community's evacuation order begins; however, we encourage evacuees to apply as soon as possible.
• People who left their home community, but who were not part of a mandatory evacuation order, are not eligible for payment.
• Hotel extensions for Jasper evacuees have concluded. If you require emergency income support, please contact 1-866-644-5135. For other information and support, please call Alberta Supports Contact Centre at 1-877-644-9992.

Health care services

• As of Aug. 26, all services at the Seton-Jasper Healthcare Centre have returned to normal operations with all services being provided in the community.
• For information about wildfire-related health resources, including mental health, visit ahs.ca/wildfire.

Schools

• Barring any unforeseen challenges, schools in Jasper will be ready to welcome students back on Sept. 17.
  • Families staying outside Jasper can register their children to attend school in any community by contacting the local school authority.
• Inspections of the school buildings found that there was smoke and ash inside and the air quality was poor. Work to deep clean the schools is currently underway.
• Families are encouraged to contact their school authority for the most up-to-date information on school operations and back-to-school planning:
  • Grande Yellowhead Public School Division
  • Conseil Scolaire Centre-Nord (email [email protected])

Court services

• The Alberta Court of Justice in Jasper remains closed until further notice.
• Court matters previously scheduled to be heard at the Jasper Courthouse will be heard at the Hinton Courthouse.

Roads and highways status

• Highway 16 is fully reopened. Limited services are available in the Town of Jasper.
• Highway 93/Icefields Parkway is open to through traffic only.
• Highway 93A remains closed.
• 511 Alberta is the best source of real time information as conditions change on our highways. Follow on X (formerly known as Twitter) @511alberta.

Mental health and addiction resources

• For residents returning to Jasper:
  • Recovery Alberta continues to provide mental health supports at the Re-Entry Centre in Jasper, including referrals to specialized services and resource information, and at the Mental Health and Addiction Community Clinic at the Jasper Seton Healthcare Centre.
  • Recovery Alberta is also working with Team Rubicon to provide mental health supports to property owners and residents while Rubicon is helping sift through damaged properties.
  • 211 Alberta is also providing in-person navigation support at the Re-Entry Centre in Jasper.
• Mental health and addiction resources are available for Albertans of any age who may be struggling with their mental health or wanting to talk to someone about how they are feeling:
  • Call the Mental Health Helpline at 1-877-303-2642 or visit ahs.ca/wildfire.
  • Call 211 or text INFO to 211 or visit ab.211.ca to access digital supports or find local services near you.
    • When calling 211, press 6 for immediate support. If you're in B.C., dial 211 and say you're from Alberta.
  • Call Counselling Alberta at 1-833-827-4230 or visit counsellingalberta.com for online counselling services. Wildfire evacuees can access counselling free of charge.
  • A French-language mental health help line is also available through TAO Tel-Aide at
    1-800-567-9699.
• Addiction supports are also available:
  • Call the Addiction Helpline at 1-866-332-2322 or Health Link at 811.
  • Call the Virtual Opioid Dependency Program at 1-844-383-7688 for same-day treatment with no fees, no waitlist.

Wildfire situation

• There are 64 wildfires currently burning across Alberta in the Forest Protection Area.
  • 21 are being held and 43 are under control.
• Information about wildfires can be found by visiting the Alberta Wildfire Status Dashboard.

Fire bans

• There are no fire advisories, restrictions or bans in the Forest Protection Area. Please confirm advisories, restrictions or bans for your area at alberta.ca/fire-bans.

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