Parks Canada Helps Wildfire Evacuees With Free Stays In B.C. And Alberta
Parks Canada is offering support to people who have been effected by the unprecedented wildfire season in British Columbia and Alberta.
To support evacuees, Parks Canada continues to offer free admission and front-country stays in national parks in British Columbia and Alberta to residents who have been forced to evacuate their communities in the Northwest Territories and British Columbia, until evacuation orders have been lifted. As is well known, Parks Canada campgrounds in British Columbia and Alberta are extremely popular and often fully booked. Free stays, which may include Parks Canada roofed accommodation in some places (such as oTENTiks), is based on availability of campsites, on a first come first served basis.
“The Government of Canada will continue to support evacuees and communities during these challenging times. My thoughts go out to all those who have been impacted by these devastating wildfires.”
Evacuees and visitors to national parks are encouraged to visit the Parks Canada website, download Parks Canada’s mobile app or directly call the national park before traveling.
Lighting or maintaining fires and smoking (including cigarettes, pipes, and cannabis) is strictly prohibited in Mount Revelstoke and Glacier National Parks until further notice. A fire ban is in effect for Yoho and Kootenay National Parks until further notice.
As of August 23, 2023, the Wood Buffalo Complex (of which the majority is burning in Wood Buffalo National Park) is approximately 453,012 hectares in size and is classified as Out of Control. At its closest, it is approximately 4km south of the Town of Fort Smith, Northwest Territories, and 3.5km from the first structure in the Town of Fort Fitzgerald, Alberta. Collectively, a total of 308 personnel, 57 pieces of heavy equipment and 24 helicopters remain in Fort Smith to conduct fire suppression efforts.
