Find wildfire recovery resources

Last updated on September 27, 2023

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Find supports and information for people, businesses and communities impacted by wildfires.

Last updated: September 18, 2023

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Supports and services for people

Support is available if you have been impacted by wildfires.

Access Emergency Support Services

Emergency Support Services (ESS) are available if you have been evacuated from your home due to wildfire.

Support can include:

  • Food
  • Accommodation
  • Clothing

Specialized support may also be available for health services, pet care and transportation.

You must register to get support.

To register for ESS

Contact ESS

If you are under evacuation and still need help, contact ESS.

Call: 1-800-585-9559

Email: embc.ess@gov.bc.ca

Find financial support

 

Get help with your utilities

BC Hydro is helping British Columbians who are evacuated. This includes:

  • A bill credit
  • Flexible bill payment plans

FortisBC is supporting customers under evacuation order:

  • A bill credit
  • Paused collected-related activities
  • Waived late payment charges
 

Get help with provincial income or consumption taxes 

The Province may be able to waive penalties for late payment of income or consumption taxes (such as PST, carbon tax, or fuel tax) for people or businesses affected by wildfire. 

Contact the Ministry of Finance to discuss possible payment plan options by calling 1-866-566-3066.

The Canada Revenue Agency is also waiving interests and penalties for businesses in areas affected by wildfire that are struggling to pay GST or HST or to file and pay corporate tax returns until October 16, 2023. 

 

Get help with BC Student Loans

People who are affected by wildfire that need help making Canadian or B.C. student loan payments can have their application for the Repayment Assistance Plan fast-tracked. 

 

Get help with insurance

The Insurance Bureau of Canada can help you understand your insurance coverage and the claims process.

Most B.C. drivers also have optional insurance coverage for wildfires through ICBC. 

 

Find federal government programs

The Province is working with the federal government and communities to support people.

Service Canada can provide assistance for the following programs: 

  • Employment Insurance (EI)
  • Canada Pension Plan 
  • Old Age Security 
  • Social Insurance Number 
  • Passport 
  • My Service Canada Account 

Call 1-877-631-2657 to contact Service Canada or make a service request online to have a representative call you. 

Community resiliency centres 

Local governments, with provincial support, have opened community resiliency centres to help people through wildfire recovery.

These centres aid in the transition from response to recovery, offering support and information from various government and non-government agencies such as: 

  • Ministry services 
  • Service BC 
  • Work BC 
  • Provincial and municipal building permit advisory support 
  • Community case workers 

Currently, resiliency centres are open in: 

 

Supports for communities 

Disaster Financial Assistance 

Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) is now available for local government and Indigenous governing bodies in regions that have been impacted by wildfire since April 29, 2023. DFA is available to help communities cover disaster-related losses that are not covered by insurance. 

Apply for DFA

Other resources

Health resources

Wildfire smoke, extreme heat and stress can impact your health. Resources and services are available to help.

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Call 8-1-1

8-1-1 is a free health information and advice phone line available in B.C.

Call 8-1-1 to speak with a health service navigator who can help you find health services or connect you to:

  • Registered nurses
  • Registered dietitians
  • Qualified exercise professionals
  • Pharmacists
 

Protect yourself from wildfire smoke

 

Access mental health support

You are not alone. Help is available. ​

Get matched with support through mental health and wellness services.

If you are in crisis now, call any of these numbers or your local emergency telephone number (often 9-1-1):

Free counselling services are available from Wellness Together Canada

Virtual low- and no-cost mental health supports are online, including counselling services.

Kids Help Phone offers 24/7, free e-mental health and wellness support.

Youth aged 12-24 can access virtual supports through Foundry, the Foundry BC app on the App Store and Foundry Virtual.

Find help 24/7 by calling or texting 2-1-1 British Columbia.

For peer support for health-care workers, text or call 1-866-802-7337

 

Supports for First Nations

A list of health and social services (PDF, 154KB) for First Nations communities impacted by evacuations is available from the First Nations Health Authority.

The KUU-US Crisis Line provides 24/7 support for Indigenous elders, adults and youth.

First Nations, Metis or Inuit people in the Interior region are encouraged to contact the Aboriginal Mental Wellness Team for support.

 

Disaster psychosocial support 

Health Emergency Management BC Disaster Psychosocial Support teams are providing essential psychological first aid and support at various evacuee reception centres across the province to help individuals, families, and communities cope with the emotional distress caused by these events. Please reach out to your local Emergency Operations Centre for information about Disaster Psychosocial Support.

 

Interior Health Medical Evacuations information 

Interior Health has evacuated many long-term care and assisted living residents in the region. Families seeking information about long-term care and hospital residents can call 1-833-469-9800 Monday to Friday 7AM – 7PM, Saturday & Sunday 8AM – 8PM.

 

Information for residents and visitors

Check for alerts, closures or warnings that may affect you.

School closure information

There are a number of public schools and independent schools in areas under evacuation alert.

The Ministry of Education is working with these school districts to create student contingency plans, including potential transfers to neighboring districts, alternative learning spaces, or online education through Provincial Online Schools.

Camping and outdoor recreation

Some campgrounds and parks may be closed due to wildfire.

Check Recreation Sites and Trails BC for alerts and closures that may affect your plans to visit a recreation site or recreation trail.

Fires may be banned or restricted in areas of the province.

Check before you travel

Resources for businesses and industry

Resources are available if your business has been impacted by wildfires.

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Resources for small businesses

A list of wildfire resources for small businesses is available at Small Business BC.

 

Find resources for agriculture and ranching

 

Migrant worker information

Evacuees, including migrant workers, can access Emergency Support Services (ESS) at designated reception centers through their local authorities or First Nation. Workers facing challenges like language barriers or employment limitations are encouraged to seek assistance from their consulate, migrant-worker support groups like MOSAIC, or their employers. Wildfire support information is available in French, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese and Punjabi. 

 

Resources for child care providers 

Child care providers that have been impacted by wildfires may be eligible for assistance through the ChildCareBC Maintenance Fund. 

Disaster recovery resources

Follow the steps to recovery to help get your life back in order after an emergency.

Get prepared for a wildfire

Now is the time to prepare for a wildfire. Find guides and resources at PreparedBC.

To prepare for a wildfire:

Current emergency information

Evacuation information

Always follow the instructions provided to you during an evacuation. Visit your local government or First Nation for updates, evacuation orders and alerts.

Find verified emergency evacuation information on EmergencyInfoBC and @EmergencyInfoBC on X (Twitter).

Wildfire conditions

Find the latest wildfire conditions from the BC Wildfire Service and @BCGovFireInfo on X (Twitter).

Travel and road impacts

Highways and roads may be impacted by wildfires.

How you can help

You can help recovery efforts in communities across B.C.

Make a financial donation

The best way to support people is with a financial donation to a trusted organization. Canada Helps has a list of verified charities responding to the wildfire situation. 

 

How to donate carefully

Do:

  • Donate to well-established charities
  • Write cheques to an organization, not an individual
  • Ask canvassers for identification or printed information about the charity
  • Beware of high-pressure tactics
  • Take time to research the charity

Don't:

  • Give to door-to-door or phone campaigns
  • Give cash or use wire transfer services
  • Donate used items like clothing. It can be a financial and logistical challenge for communities already struggling.

If you have concerns about a charitable organization, call the Canada Revenue Agency at 1-877-442-2899.

Volunteer

Check with your local government, First Nation or community organization to learn about volunteering. Their response may be delayed due to the current situation.

I have questions

Talk to a Service BC agent for help with government programs and services.

Text: 1-604-660-2421

7:30 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday

Standard message and data rates may apply.

Call: 1-800-663-7867

7:30 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday

Telephone for the Deaf: Dial 711

Video Relay Services (VRS) sign language interpretation is free for people who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech-impaired.

Help in other languages

Help is available by phone in more than 140 languages, including:

  • 國粵語
  • ਪੰਜਾਬੀ
  • فارسی
  • Français
  • Español

Call: 1-800-663-7867

7:30 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday