Hot, dry conditions with strong winds create challenges for firefighting.

June 20, 2019

As fires spread in Mackenzie County, approximately 200 additional people evacuated on Wednesday from the area north of Highway 697, south of the Peace River and west of Steep Hill Creek, also called Range Road 164.

More than 700 evacuees from the Paddle Prairie Metis Settlement can return home today. Additional information for residents is online at https://www.facebook.com/paddleprairie

Approximately 8,500 people are still under evacuation orders.

The following communities issued mandatory evacuation orders this week:

• Beaver First Nation – Boyer River (No. 164) and Child Lake (No. 164A)
• Dene Tha’ First Nation – Bushe River (No. 207)
• Mackenzie County
  • The Rocky Lane and High Level area north of the Peace River, south of Highway 58, west of Range Road 150
  • The Hamlet of La Crete
  • Range Road 164 to Range Road 150, south of the Peace River, north of Highway 697
• Peerless Trout First Nation – Trout Lake community and high-risk persons in the surrounding area.

The following communities remain on evacuation alert and should be ready to leave quickly if the situation changes:

• High Level
• Mackenzie County
  • Area west of Range Road 164, south of the Peace River to Township Road 1010, and the Machesis Lake campground
• Bigstone Cree Nation 166 A, B, C and D

Current situation

• Chuckegg Creek wildfire, southwest of High Level, is about 330,000 hectares.
• Jackpot Creek wildfire, north of Lutose, is about 77,500 hectares.
• McMillan Wildfire Complex located in the Slave Lake Forest area, is more than 276,800 hectares.
• Check Alberta Emergency Alerts for more detailed and frequently updated information.
• People driving in fire-affected areas should carry enough fuel, as it may not be readily available.

Visit alberta.ca/emergency for detailed and frequently updated information.

Air quality

• Wildfire smoke is causing poor air quality and reduced visibility at times.
• Parts of northwestern Alberta are under special air quality statements.
• Visit FireSmoke Canada for information and resources about smoke from wildland fires.

Financial supports

• Evacuees should check alberta.ca/emergency for updates on evacuation payment eligibility.
• You may qualify for the evacuation payment if you:
  • were living, working or vacationing in the affected area
  • were forced to leave due to an evacuation order
  • paid for most of your costs to evacuate
  • were forced to leave your residence (primary, working or vacationing) due to a mandatory evacuation order.
• Albertans who qualify will receive $1,250 and $500 for each dependent child under 18 living in the same home when the evacuation order was given.
• Apply online through the MyAlberta Evacuation Payment application using a smartphone, device or desktop. Interac e-transfers may take 24 hours to process.
• If you need help applying, contact Alberta Supports to find the nearest centre: Toll-free: 1-877-644-9992 (Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.) In-person: Find an Alberta Supports Centre.
• More than 11,700 individuals have received evacuee support totalling close to $11.9 million.

Reception and call centres

• All evacuees need to register with an evacuation reception centre even if you have found alternate accommodations.
• Reception centres may assist evacuees in person and/or by phone.
• Mackenzie County evacuees must register at Fort Vermilion – Mackenzie County Office, 4511 46 Avenue, 780-927-3718.
• Evacuees from Trout Lake and high-risk persons in the surrounding area of Peerless Trout First Nation must register their location with Jennifer Auger, 780-649-6553, jennifer.auger@ptfn.net. If you evacuated to Edmonton, register at Edmonton Super 8 Hotel, 16818 118 Avenue.
• The Government of Alberta contact centre is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday to Friday. Call 310-4455.

Insurance information

• Most home and tenant insurance policies provide coverage for living expenses during an evacuation.
• Evacuees should retain all of their receipts for food, accommodation and other related expenses to provide to their insurer.
• Albertans can contact the Insurance Bureau of Canada at 1-844-227-5422 or by email at askibcwest@ibc.ca. Information about insurance coverage is available online at ibc.ca/ab/disaster/alberta-wildfire.

Re-entry information

Evacuees can find tips on re-entry by visiting https://www.alberta.ca/emergency.aspx. Information includes making sure all your utilities are working, cleaning up and how to deal with door-to-door salespeople offering services and insurance.

Justice and legal matters

• If you have an appointment with a probation officer in an evacuated area, report to the community corrections office nearest you. Please call 780-427-3109 (to call toll-free, first dial 310-0000) for information.

Boil water advisory

• A boil water advisory is in place for Meander River (Dene Tha’ First Nation).

Health

• Mental health support is available by calling Alberta’s 24-hour help line at 1-877-303-2642, the Addiction Helpline at 1-866-332-2322, or Health Link at 811.

Donations and volunteers

• Check the Mackenzie County Facebook page for an up-to-date list of donations needed and drop-off locations.
• There have been reports that local residents in High Level are being solicited by email or phone for donations in support of firefighters or affected residents. Do not share your personal information with them or donate money.
• When asked for donations (either over the phone, through an email, or in person), ask the canvasser for identification or printed information about the charity.
• If you have concerns about the activities of a charitable organization including its fundraising practices, call Service Alberta: 1-877-427-4088.

Canada Post

• Mail and parcel delivery in certain communities has been affected by the wildfires.
• Canada Post has contingency measures in place to serve residents of these communities.
• Check the Canada Post website for updates.

Other income and social supports

• Evacuees who receive Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped or Income Support benefits by cheque should contact their worker to make arrangements to receive it.
• Call Alberta Supports at 1-877-644-9992 between 7:30 a.m. and 8 p.m., Monday to Friday if you:
  • need information on other social supports
  • are a contracted service provider, family member or individual needing assistance through the Persons with Developmental Disabilities program
• Evacuees in need of financial assistance for immediate needs can apply for an Income Support program emergency needs allowance. This benefit may cover your accommodation, clothing and other urgent needs. Please call 1-877-644-9992 for more information.
• For information on child intervention and child care, call 1-800-638-0715. 
• Employment insurance: evacuees can visit Service Canada online to apply at www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei.html. Use code 4812014812201900.

Health card, driver’s licences, ID cards, birth certificate

• To get a replacement Health Care Insurance Card call 780-427-1432 or toll-free at 310-0000 and then 780-427-1432 when prompted. Your Alberta Personal Health Card can be mailed to a temporary address.  
• If driver’s licences, identification cards, and/or birth certificates were left behind during the evacuation, replacement cards and certificates can be ordered free of charge at a registry agent.

Public information

• You can call 310-4455 for more information – Monday to Friday 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Related information

• alberta.ca/emergency
• Alberta Emergency Alert App
• Alberta Wildfire app

Backgrounder: Previous updates

From the Government of Alberta: Ensuring fairness for newcomers

Bill 11, the Fair Registration Practices Act, will help newcomers get their credentials recognized, so they can quickly get to work in their fields to help grow the economy and create jobs.

The act is a key part of the government’s Fairness for Newcomers Action Plan.

Highly trained immigrant professionals can sometimes spend years jumping through regulatory hoops while their skills atrophy.

This can result in a significant loss of economic productivity for the Alberta economy. If passed, the Fair Registration Practices Act would cut red tape, remove barriers, speed up the process where possible, hold professional bodies accountable, and increase fairness and transparency.

“Our goal is to get all Albertans back to work. Too often, we hear stories of ‘doctors driving cabs’ syndrome – and we are taking action to make sure newcomers’ credentials are evaluated and assessed objectively and in a timely manner.” Jason Kenney, Premier

“It’s important for Alberta’s professional bodies to maintain high professional standards while allowing qualified newcomers to fully contribute to our economy. And not only that, giving newcomers the chance to pursue the careers they’ve trained for is, simply put, the right thing to do.” Jason Copping, Minister of Labour and Immigration

“The settlement sector in Alberta has been advocating for fair recognition of newcomer qualifications for decades. The proven detrimental impact of underemployment of newcomer professionals is felt not only within their own families, but throughout society as well. We are certain that fair recognition of credentials will improve the quality of life of all Albertans, and are grateful this legislation is being introduced so quickly by the new government.” Anila Lee Yuen, president & CEO, Centre for Newcomers

The proposed bill would:

• Provide the authority to create a Fair Registration Practices Office.
• Reduce the red tape associated with the assessment of foreign credentials.
• Work with regulators to ensure registration practices are transparent, objective, impartial and fair.
• Maintain Alberta’s high professional standards.

Bill 11 would require regulatory bodies to:

• Assess applications and communicate assessment decisions within specific time frames for interim registration decisions and within reasonable time frames for final registration decisions.
• Submit reports regarding fair registration practices to the minister responsible for the act.

“ASET is the regulator of engineering and geoscience technology practice in Alberta, and is committed to fully objective criteria for certification, and a level playing field for all applicants. Having long since adopted high standards of fairness in our admissions practices, ASET applauds the initiative for fair assessment of all applicants.” Barry Cavanaugh, CEO, Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta

If passed, the legislation would come into force on proclamation.

Quick facts

• According to the Conference Board of Canada, Canadians would earn up to $17 billion more annually if their learning credentials were fully recognized.
  • Immigrants are the largest group, with an estimated 524,000 international credential holders affected by a lack of learning recognition.
• Provinces such as Ontario, Manitoba and Nova Scotia already have fairness legislation to ensure that professional regulatory organizations have fair registration practices.