NWT Fire 2023 Aug. 30 Update

  • Beginning August 30, students evacuated from British Columbia and the Northwest Territories have the choice to enroll in Alberta schools for the start of the 2023/2024 school year. Families with students in kindergarten to grade 12 are asked to contact local schools to request enrolment. All students are welcome if there is space available. This option will stay in place as long as the evacuation orders are in effect. Once students are safely able to return home, they will enroll as usual in their territory school systems.  
  • As of August 29, 2023, applications are now open for the Evacuation Travel Support Program. The Evacuation Travel Support Program offered by the NWT Government will provide financial relief to NWT residents who evacuated by vehicle due to the wildfires: $750 per vehicle evacuated to a southern jurisdiction or $400 per vehicle evacuated within the NWT.  
  • Evacuees navigating Federal supports and Employment Insurance (EI) are advised to go directly to Service Canada or Alberta Supports.  
    • Service Canada (11601 101 Street, Suite 101) 
      • (800) 622-6232 Hours: Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
    • Grande Prairie Alberta Supports (9845 99 Ave – Towne Centre Mall) 
      • (780) 538-6241 
      • Hours:  
        • Monday to Thursday, Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.  
        • Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. 
        • Sunday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
  • The Grande Prairie Reception Centre is located in Teresa Sargent Hall at the Montrose Cultural Centre. (9839-103 Avenue)
    • Hours 
      • Monday to Friday: 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. 
      • Saturday and Sunday: 10 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. 
  • Grande Prairie has reached capacity for hotel accommodations for evacuees and will no longer be able to accept newly arriving evacuees who require lodging, effective Wednesday, August 23, 2023. Evacuees who have already been provided with lodging can continue to stay at their assigned hotel. All evacuees can continue to access information at the Reception Centre. 
  • Alberta reception and registration centre locations for evacuees: Northwest Territories wildfire evacuation | Alberta.ca 
  • GPREP is actively extending all rooms prior to check-out dates. If there are any changes to lodging, we will notify evacuees.  
  • NWT residents and evacuees can call 811 in the territory and 1-844-259-1793 out of territory to ask questions about evacuation.  
  • Alberta’s Wildfire Information Center is stood up to support NWT Evacuees coming to Alberta with information and assistance. For assistance and to access supports call:  
  • 310-4455 in Alberta (8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily) 
  • 1-877-770-4636 from outside Alberta (8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily) 

Updates are provided daily at www.gprep.ca/nwt-evacuees/ 

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Media enquires may be directed to:  

GPREP Information Officer  

info@gprepeoc.com