Information for Wildfire Evacuees
Peace River Reception Centre
The Peace River Reception Centre is now closed.
Financial Assistance for Evacuees
Alberta residents affected by the northwest Alberta wildfires may be eligible for a one-time evacuation payment to help with immediate living costs, such as accommodation, food and gas.
For full details please visit the Government of Alberta’s website.
News
June 20, 2019
Today the Peace River Reception Centre was deactivated after 31 continuous days of operation. During that time 894 evacuees from nine different communities received support through the Reception Centre.
While many people are still out of their homes at this time, due to ongoing wildfire threats, additional reception centres and evacuation centres have been activated by the province in response to these new evacuation orders. Peace River is being deactivated at this time.
We wish to thank the community of Peace River for your support during this difficult time. Peace Riverites from all ages and walks of life opened their hearts and our community to those who have been stranded here. Through free community meals or access to recreation options you helped make a traumatic experience more bearable for many people. Thank you.
June 18, 2019
The Peace River Reception Centre has continued operating daily from 9 am to noon, excluding weekends. The reception centre is based out of Town Hall and maintaining support for those evacuated from Paddle Prairie. Right now there are 180 evacuees in town.
Over the last two days additional evacuation orders have been issued for areas in northwestern Alberta. Those evacuated must register at the reception centre mentioned in their community’s specific emergency alert.
Information regarding where to register is listed below, it comes from the Alberta Emergency Alert (AEA) and Alberta Emergency Management Agency. Full details are available on the AEA’s website: https://emergencyalert.alberta.ca/
Peerless Trout Lake First Nation
Persons evacuating must attend the Back Lakes Arena in Red Earth Creek, or the Bridge at Narrow’s to register and receive further information. Any high-risk persons in Peerless Trout First Nation must evacuate now also. Reception Centre for evacuees will be the Super 8 Hotel in Edmonton. The remaining persons in Peerless Trout First Nation must be prepared to evacuate on short notice.
Mackenzie County Including La Crête
All Mackenzie County evacuees are required to register at the Fort Vermilion Mackenzie County Office at 4511 – 46 Ave. Fort Vermilion or register by calling 780-927-3718.
Bushe River
All Bushe River evacuees must register at the Four Chiefs Complex in Bushe River.
Indian Cabins and North
Head north to the Northwest Territories. Evacuees must contact Mackenzie County to register at 780-927-3718.
June 10, 2019
Today was the last day the Peace River Reception Centre was located at the Misery Mountain Ski Hill. Beginning tomorrow (June 11) the Peace River Reception Centre will be based out of the Town of Peace River’s Town Office, located downtown at 9911 – 100 St. The Reception Centre hours are be 9am to noon.
The phone number at the Reception Centre is (780) 624-3190.
June 9, 2019
Work has continued out of the Misery Mountain Reception Centre this weekend. Yesterday evacuation orders were lifted for the areas of Trout Lake and Peerless Lake meaning several people were able to return home.
Beginning Tuesday, June 11, the Peace River Reception Centre will no longer be located at Misery Mountain it will move to Town Hall. Full details on the move will be shared on Monday.
The Peace River Reception Centre will be open 9am to noon at the Misery Mountain Ski Chalet on Monday June 10.
June 7, 2019
Today was a tough day for many after the announcement that re-entry for those evacuated from Paddle Prairie is not anticipated to happen until next week at the earliest. Throughout the weekend the Peace River Reception Centre will continue to operate from 9am until 12pm to assist the 168 registered evacuees in our town.
A new sign has been added to our reception centre to greet evacuees and to show our support for those unable to return home right now.
June 6, 2019
New registrants have slowed at the Peace River Reception Centre. Currently, 167 registered evacuees are in Peace River. The centre is open from 9am to 12 noon daily to assist with lodging, food, and referral for other needs.
Those looking to donate to assist the Paddle Prairie community should check the Paddle Prairie Metis Settlement Facebook page for more info.
June 5, 2019
Work is continuing at the Peace River Reception Centre, we are open daily from 9 am to 12 noon for those still under evacuation orders.
There are now 163 evacuees registered in the Town of Peace River.
The situation continues to improve slightly. Today several evacuation orders were lifted for places within the County of Northern Lights, including south of Twin Lakes Campground and Notikewn, as well as the area north of Twin Lakes Campground, including Keg River, Carajou, to the county’s northern border.
June 4, 2019
With an evacuation order still in place for the communities of Paddle Prairie, Keg River, Carcajou, Trout Lake, Peerless Lake and Wabasca, the Peace River Reception Centre has continued to remain open.
Evacuees who had been here from High Level, Mackenzie County, Bushe River, Meander River and Chateh have been making their way home. As a result, we now have 163 evacuees registered in town.
Going forward the centre will be open daily from 9am to noon.
June 3, 2019
Rain today was a very welcome sign. Many of the evacuees who had been in Peace River were able to return home to High Level, Mackenzie County, and the Dene Tha’ First Nation communities of Bushe River, Meander River and Chateh.
We now have 157 registered evacuees in town, our total number was 843.
The reception centre will be open tomorrow, June 4, from 9am to 12 noon to assist those evacuees who are still displaced under a mandatory evacuation notice.
June 2, 2019
Today many were relieved to find out that residents from High Level, the surrounding areas of Mackenzie County and the Dene Tha’ First Nation communities of Bushe River, Meander River and Chateh, will be allowed back into their homes beginning tomorrow, June 3, at 10am. Full details are available on the Government of Alberta’s website.
The Reception Centre in Peace River will remain open for the foreseeable future and will reopen from 9am to 5pm on June 3. Currently, there are 776 evacuees registered in town.
June 1, 2019
Work at the Peace River Reception Centre continued today. There continues to be hotel room availability which has helped to ensure lodging for new evacuees.
Peace River now has 751 registered evacuees in town.
Tomorrow (June 2) we will be open from 9am until 5pm.
May 31, 2019
Reception Centre Operations continued again today. Finding lodging for new evacuees was much easier after a decision made by the Pow Wow organizers to postpone their event until later this month. Postponing Pow Wow freed up a number of hotel rooms in the area, which helped substantially in finding accommodation for new evacuees.
Peace River now has 720 evacuees registered in town.
We’re grateful for the support AHS and Service Canada have provided at the Reception Centre itself. AHS is supporting through public and mental health supports and Service Canada has assisted evacuees with identification. Thank you again to the community for your ongoing support. Community meals and recreation options have helped lighten the load for many evacuees.
The Peace River Reception Centre will be open from 9am until 5pm tomorrow.
May 30, 2019
Operations continued at the Peace River Reception Centre today. The number of registered evacuees in Peace River is 697 people. Work will continue tomorrow from 9am until 5pm.
May 29, 2019
May 28, 2019
Distribution of pre-paid debit cards for evacuees continued into the second day today at the Peace River Reception Centre. Tomorrow, May 29, will be the last day that evacuees can receive prepaid debit cards from the Government of Alberta at the Reception Centre. Evacuees can also apply for the money via e-transfer. Full details are available on the Government of Alberta’s Website. For questions about the application process please phone 1-844-643-2789.
To date, the Peace River Reception Centre has 614 evacuees registered in Town. The centre will be open tomorrow from 8am until 8pm.
Thank you to the community organizations that have organized meals and activities for the evacuees this week. Details on events are being shared as people come into the centre to renew hotel stays and food vouchers. The community support is wonderful and continues to make a difficult time more bearable for the many people staying in town.
May 27, 2019
Today at the Peace River Reception Centre it was extremely busy with the start of distribution of pre-paid debit cards for evacuees. The Government of Alberta will again be on hand to assist in online applications for those who can receive an e-transfer, as well as, applications for the pre-paid debit cards. Info on the program is available at the Government of Alberta’s Website. For questions about the application process please phone 1-844-643-2789.
So far the Peace River Reception Centre has 594 evacuees registered in Town. The centre will be open tomorrow from 8am until 8pm.
May 26, 2019
In addition to assisting evacuees, a portion of today was spent working with representatives from the Government of Alberta to prepare for the distribution of financial aid to evacuees. Financial aid will be available Monday, May 27 through Wednesday, May 29. Representatives from the Government of Alberta will be available to assist evacuees in applying for the funding. Evacuees can also apply online for funding, the system went live at noon today. More information on this process is available on the Government of Alberta’s website.
The total number registered in Peace River is now 559 people.
The Peace River Reception Centre will be open tomorrow from 9am to 8pm. Financial aid assistance will be available from 10am to 8pm.
May 25, 2019
Work continued at the Peace River Reception Centre again today. New registrations are slowing down, our total is now 512. While newer registrations have slowed the Centre remains busy with evacuees returning for access to food vouchers, information, and referrals. The Centre will be open tomorrow from 9am to 6pm to continue assisting evacuees in our community.
The Province of Alberta has announced one-time funding for evacuees who need financial assistance. The Peace River Reception Centre is ready to host representatives from the Alberta Government Monday May 27 through Wednesday May 29. They will be here to assist evacuees in applying for the funding. Evacuees can also apply online for funding beginning at noon on Sunday May 26 More information on this process is available on the Government of Alberta’s website.
May 24, 2019
Yet another busy day at the Peace River Reception Centre we now have 506 evacuees registered. Today we gave out 5200 bottles of water, 130 cases of 40 bottles to assist families.
Thank you again to the community of Peace River for your ongoing support of the evacuees in town.
The Peace River Reception Centre will be open from 9am to 6pm tomorrow.
May 23, 2019
Another busy day at the Peace River Reception Centre with 76 newly registered and many more returning for assistance.
Thank you to the community groups who have helped organize activities, events, discounts, and free meals for the evacuees. It’s helping to make a difficult time more bearable for many people.
The reception centre will be open tomorrow (May 24) from 9 am until 6 pm.
May 22, 2019
Today was a very busy day at the Peace River Reception Centre. In the last 48 hours, we have registered 434 people. Today we booked 70 hotel rooms for evacuees to stay in. We will be reopening the Reception Centre tomorrow from 9am to 6pm.
We wish to thank the residents of Peace River for opening up the community to the many newcomers staying in our town over the last two days. The kindness shown by this community to those fleeing the wildfires up north will have a lifelong impact on the evacuees. We also wish to thank the community service organizations and businesses who have provided support. Thank you all for showing that Peace River cares.
May 21, 2019
On Monday May 21, at 9am at the request of the Provincial Operations Centre, (POC) based out of Alberta’s Emergency Management Agency (AEMA), The Town of Peace River opened a reception centre for evacuees from High Level and Mackenzie County.
Throughout Monday May 20 and the lead up to the evacuation of High Level the Town of Peace River was in contact with the POC regarding support. With Highway 35 closed it was decided that Slave Lake and High Prairie would be the initial reception centres.
The Peace River Reception Centre, located at Misery Mountain Ski Chalet, will run daily from 9am to 6pm until the Province no longer needs the support. Evacuees may register there and we will help find them shelter in nearby hotels or campgrounds as well as assist with finding boarding for pets.
We kindly ask that residents avoid the reception centre to allow space for evacuees. We are not seeking donations at this time although we are thankful for the generous offers.
As the situation unfolds we will continue to be in touch with all relevant provincial bodies and will provide whatever assistance we can.