Wildfire Recovery Actions: Update 2

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.
• Approximately 1,535 households, representing 3,384 adults and children, have completed the housing needs assessment survey, which remains open until Friday, Aug. 23.
• A range of housing options are being considered and the task force is working closely with the Municipality of Jasper and Parks Canada to determine next steps and prioritize implementation.
• To date, more than $12.1 million has been donated to the Alberta Wildfires Appeal, with the governments of Canada and Alberta matching donations to the Canadian Red Cross.

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.
• Those in need of immediate emergency financial assistance can contact the Income Support Emergency Contact Centre at 1-866-644-5135. The contact centre operates 24/7.
• People who left their home community, but who were not part of a mandatory evacuation order, are not eligible for payment.

Health care services

• Basic emergency department services were restored to the Seton-Jasper Healthcare Centre on Aug. 15 at 9 a.m. No issues have been reported at this time.
• Community health services and lab and diagnostic imaging services are now available.
• Restoration work on the remaining areas of the health centre continues and is on schedule.
• Cottage Medical Clinic cleaning has been prioritized to allow for this clinic to open as soon as possible.
• One nurse practitioner is on site at the Jasper Re-Entry Support Centre. They have been on site since Aug. 20.
• Two AHS Environmental Public Health (EPH) Inspectors will be in Jasper each day until Aug. 30. EPH will regularly reassess this need based on community demand. Additionally, they can provide phone and email consultations as requests come in.
• 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 have indicated that there is smoke and ash inside, and the air quality is poor. Work to deep clean the schools is currently underway and remediation contractors have 24/7 access to the sites.
• Families who are considering online learning or resources are encouraged to contact school authorities.
• Families are encouraged to contact their school authority for the most up-to-date information on school operations, transportation 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, 24 hours/day. Motorists must proceed directly through the park with no stopping along the highway.
• Highway 93N / Icefields Parkway remains closed between Highway 16 and the Icefields Information Centre.
• 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:
  • Alberta Health Services is providing mental health supports at the Re-Entry Centre in Jasper, through a mobile unit and at the Jasper Seton Healthcare Centre, as well as at the Reception Centres in Grande Prairie, Edmonton and Calgary.
  • 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 AHS 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.
  • 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 AHS 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 83 wildfires currently burning across Alberta in the Forest Protection Area.
  • Five are classified as out of control, 39 are being held and 39 are under control.
• According to Parks Canada, the wildfire in Jasper National Park is now classified as being held.
  • Alberta's government continues to assist Parks Canada with more than 10 wildland firefighters, as well as heavy equipment and other resources.
• The Semo Complex wildfire (HWF061) is still classified as out of control at nearly 107,000 hectares in size.
  • It is about two kilometres from Highway 58, 13 kilometres from Garden River, 19 kilometres from John D'Or Prairie and 15 kilometres from Fox Lake.
  • Almost 600 wildland firefighters and support personnel, 24 helicopters and more than 120 pieces of heavy equipment are currently working on the Semo Wildfire Complex.
• Information about wildfires can be found by visiting the Alberta Wildfire Status Dashboard.

Fire bans

• A fire restriction remains in place for the High Level Forest Area and parts of the Grande Prairie Forest Area. A fire advisory is in place for the portion of the Fort McMurray Forest Area north of Lake Athabasca. Please confirm advisories, restrictions or bans for your area at alberta.ca/fire-bans.

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.