Guide to community support: How Edmonton is helping Jasper evacuees

Edmonton businesses and organizations have stepped up to offer their help to Jasper residents who fled their homes a week ago and have no idea when they'll be able to go back. 

The cluster of fires burning in Jasper has consumed an estimated 32,000 hectares, making it the largest wildfire the park has seen in over a century. About 30 per cent of the structures in the townsite, many of which were homes, have been destroyed. 

Amidst the devastation, Edmontonians have rallied, offering an outpouring of support and resources to evacuees who have come to the city seeking refuge and relief. Here are some of the offers of help that have emerged so far.

Shelter

At the city's Kennedale centre for Jasper evacuees, 1,504 people have been registered so far, the city told CBC on Tuesday. 

The centre, at 12814 58th St., is a place for evacuees to rest and regroup. Volunteers help connect people with long-term lodging and evacuation allowances, while the centre offers emergency clothing, hygiene items, water and snacks. 

All registered evacuees are given a wristband that can be used for free access to city services and transit. 

Guy LePage, a volunteer with the Canadian Red Cross, said many people from Jasper spent the first few days sleeping in their cars or staying with friends.  

"But now they're looking for something a little bit more permanent and for more help," he said.

Food

Several city restaurants are offering free or discounted meals to people showing proof of Jasper residency. 

Chianti Italian Restaurant, Fu's Repair Shop, Dolly's Cocktail Bar, The Common and Tutti Frutti are offering free meals. GRETA Bar YEG is offering a free meal of up to $25, and Duchess Bake Shop is offering a free coffee and croissant. 

Restaurants including Seoul Fried Chicken, Campio Brewing, The Sherlock Holmes Pub, The Cabin, On the Edge Coffee, Oodle Noodle and Banh Mi Day are offering 50 per cent off food; Hudson's Canada Pub on Whyte Avenue is offering a 20 per cent discount on food and drinks. 

Facilities and attractions

At Hide N Seek, an indoor playground and cafe, Jasper families have been offered free admission for a reprieve from stresses associated with the wildfire.

"This is the only place they can go and have fun," said general manager Steven Kim. "We get to see the kids being kids again."

Registered evacuees with wristbands will also receive free admission to all of the city's recreation and leisure centres, as well as the Edmonton Valley Zoo, Muttart Conservatory and the John Janzen Nature Centre. Other facilities offering free admission to evacuees are the Art Gallery of Alberta, Royal Alberta Museum and Fort Edmonton Park. 

The Telus World of Science has been offering free admission to people displaced by wildfire from Jasper and elsewhere. About 1,100 people have used it so far this wildfire season, said spokesperson Kyla Amrhein.

"We've had so many people just express their gratitude for having a space where they're able to come in with their families, take their mind off of other things they're having to deal with," she said. 

She said local businesses are covering the costs, offsetting the expenses for the science centre.

The Edmonton Riverhawks baseball team and Edmonton Elks professional football team are providing free game tickets to evacuees.

Business

Edmonton Chamber of Commerce has stepped up to help business owners from Jasper with offers of office space and boardrooms.

"We've got an entire floor in our building that is vacant," said Doug Griffith, president of the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce. 

He said he anticipates business owners asking for help with space, equipment, resources and advice on how to move forward. 

"Some of them are going to just probably want to come and have a coffee and talk about what this means to their business and get some advice about what they could do," he said.