Over the weekend, The Salvation Army has continued to assist families affected by the wildfires in the Northwest Territories and British Columbia.

With mass evacuations taking place in Yellowknife and Kelowna, many residents have temporarily relocated to different cities.

The focus for the emergency disaster services (EDS) team is to ensure all evacuees and those on the front lines have a safe place to stay, and that they remain well fed and hydrated.

The following is the latest update on the EDS team’s response to the wildfires:

British Columbia

• Providing food and hydration to firefighters across Kelowna and West Kelowna. They are currently distributing 1,000 meals a day.
• Providing food, hydration, emotional and spiritual care, hygiene kits and other material supports to evacuees at the West Kelowna reception centre.
• Feeding evacuees, staff and volunteers at the Kamloops reception centre/group lodging site.
• Feeding evacuees, staff and volunteers at the Vernon reception centre.
• Feeding staff and evacuees at the Tsilhqot’in National Government’s (TNG) Risky River group lodging site.
• Working with the local Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) in Salmon Arm to provide support in the Shuswap area.
• On standby to feed evacuees at additional group lodging sites in Kelowna, Vernon and the central interior.
• Providing emotional and spiritual care, drinks, snacks, hygiene kits and other support to evacuees arriving at Vancouver International Airport from Yellowknife.

Northwest Territories and Alberta

• Clients of the Yellowknife Resource Centre that were forced to evacuate are currently staying at the Calgary Centre of Hope.
• The emergency wellness response team is available for evacuees in Calgary.
• Providing food and hydration to firefighters in Yellowknife.
• Delivered 200 blankets to Grand Prairie, Alta.
• Providing meals to evacuees currently staying in hotels in St. Albert, Alta.

Wildfire Emergency Relief Report (as of August 22, 2023)

• 15,236 meals served.
• 22,408 drinks served.
• 18,085 snacks distributed.
• 430 people have received emotional and spiritual care support.

To make a donation in support of the Wildfire Emergency Relief campaign, call 1-800-SAL-ARMY or visit SalvationArmy.ca/Wildfires.