Wildfire evacuees will get some additional financial support from the province and Red Cross.
"This year's wildfire season has forced thousands of people from their homes in Indigenous communities and municipalities throughout British Columbia, and some no longer have a home to go back to," Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, said in announcing the relief.
"These funds will provide a helping hand as people work through the extraordinary challenges that come with such a stressful and traumatic time."
Assistance will be provided by the Red Cross to eligible households in one of three ways:
- $2,000 to eligible B.C. households whose primary residence has been severely affected by this season's wildfires, based on structural loss information provided by Emergency Management BC
- $2,000 to eligible households who were evacuated from the Lytton region due to wildfires
- $1,200 for B.C. households under mandatory evacuation order for longer than 10 consecutive days during the 2021 wildfire season
To access the supports, evacuees need to register with the Red Cross by calling 1-800-863-6582, between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.
"Many British Columbians were impacted by this summer's wildfires, and this funding will provide some much-needed financial relief for people who experienced losses or frightening disruptions to their daily lives," said Katrine Conroy, Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development.
The assistance will not affect eligibility for supports through the provincial Emergency Support Services program.
British Columbians can make a financial donation on the Red Cross website, to help those impacted by the B.C. fires.
As of 7 p.m. Aug. 24, there are 249 active wildfires across the province, with 3,746 properties on evacuation order and 11,351 properties on evacuation alert.
