As wildfires rage across the country, how can Canadians help evacuees?
Residents across Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta have been asked to evacuate
It can be a helpless feeling viewing the footage of people fleeing their homes, or watching communities burn, beneath red, hazy skies.
Canada is once again grappling with raging wildfires, with some 209 active fires — half of them out of control — burning through nearly every province and territory in the country as of Friday.
Central and Western Canada in particular are under siege, with 68 wildfires burning in B.C., 55 in Alberta, 18 in Saskatchewan and 27 in Manitoba, according to the most recent data from the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC).
Residents across Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta have been asked to evacuate due to fires. So far, between 10,000 to 15,000 people have been forced from their homes in Saskatchewan, more than 17,000 have been evacuated in Manitoba, and around 4,000 people in Alberta.
Amidst our coverage, CBC News has heard from Canadians across the country asking how they can help those affected by wildfires. We've gathered as much information as we can to answer your questions on how to help.
Where can I donate?
First of all, there's the Red Cross. The federal government says it will match donations made to the Canadian Red Cross between May 28 and June 27. The provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba will also match donations made to the agency.
According to the Red Cross's Manitoba Wildfires Appeal and Saskatchewan Wildfires Appeal, the money will be used for those impacted by the wildfires in those provinces, with immediate and ongoing relief, including financial assistance, to "support to evacuees and the communities hosting them, recovery and resilience efforts in response to the wildfires, as well as supporting community preparedness and risk reduction for future all-hazard disaster events."
The Red Cross also has a general Canadian Wildfire Fund.
Locally, there are also options with the United Way, including the B.C. Wildfire Recovery Fund, the Alberta Capital Region's Wildfire Response and Recovery Fund, and the Saskatoon Wildfire Evacuee Fund.
The latter is raising funds to provide evacuees with access to local entertainment and recreational activities "that offer relief, joy, and a sense of belonging during this difficult time."
What else is needed?
Some evacuees in Saskatoon have expressed frustration with accessing resources, telling CBC Saskatoon they need transportation, money for gas and food vouchers.
In several Saskatchewan cities, co-ordinators have been scrambling to keep kids occupied and calm during evacuations, organizing transportation for families from hotels to activities, including bouncy castles, laser tag, movies and concerts — even the Saskatchewan Roughriders home opener.
The Métis Nation–Saskatchewan government said Thursday it had welcomed about 100 people to live at the Batoche Festival Grounds, and noted that an emergency donation centre was set up at the Central Urban Métis Federation in Saskatoon.
They were looking for toiletries (such as toothbrushes, toothpaste and feminine hygiene products), diapers, baby wipes, baby formula, clean bedding, masks, air purifiers and work gloves.
"The Batoche grounds are open to anyone who needs a safe place," said MN–S President Glen McCallum in a news statement.
In Winnipeg, Catie St. Germain recently told CBC that she raised some $3,000 to buy supplies for evacuees, such as diapers, wipes, formula and feminine hygiene products.
"I'm a mom of three kids, and I know how it is, especially if you have to leave in a hurry and don't have those supplies."
Emergency organizations have been getting plenty of donations for adults, but need more supplies for kids, said Mary Sylvia Caribou, a Pukatawagan emergency management organizer who was collecting donations in Winnipeg.
"Baby stuff, like socks, Pampers, milk … we don't have much here for babies."
How can I support Indigenous communities specifically?
Indigenous communities in Canada are disproportionately affected by wildfires, with many located in remote, fire-prone areas.
A number of Indigenous organizations are accepting donations and supplies to help evacuees.
In Manitoba, for instance, the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) and the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) are collecting donations for people who evacuated from northern communities. According to the AMC, the most urgently needed items include strollers, playpens, baby formula, diapers, Depends, sandals and summer clothing.
The MMF is accepting financial donations via the Red River Métis Marketplace, and is also seeking volunteers to billet people, drive supplies and people to their destinations, and cook food. People can volunteer by emailing emergencyvolunteers@mmf.mb.ca or calling 1-888-362-2012.
In Saskatchewan, the Central Urban Métis Federation is accepting both supply and monetary donations to support evacuees from northern communities now residing in Saskatoon, according to the Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce.
There's also a Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation Wildfire State of Emergency fundraiser to help communities in Pelican Narrows, Denare Beach, Sandy Bay, Southend, Creighton and Flin Flon.
In Alberta, the Kee Tas Kee Now Tribal Council is accepting donations and support. The council noted more than 1,400 members of the Peerless Trout and Loon River First Nations have been evacuated and are now staying in hotels and temporary accommodations throughout the Edmonton area.
They're looking for support with recreational and cultural activities for children, youth and elders; donated venue space for community gatherings and wellness programming; gift cards or financial support for incidental expenses; and in-kind donations, such as hygiene kits, books, games and comfort items.
The council is asking potential donors to contact Trevor Thera (trevor.thera@ktcadmin.ca or 780-264-6709) or Sheena Phillips (sheena.phillips@ktcadmin.ca or 780-625-5222).
What about pets?
While many people are able to bring animals with them when they evacuate, others have no choice but to leave family pets behind. Either way, there are ways to support these animals during wildfires.
The Winnipeg Humane Society, for instance, set up a temporary animal shelter to care for the pets of evacuees and is accepting donations of food and pet supplies, including litter boxes, leashes, pet bowls and blankets. The Manitoba Animal Alliance — which supports animals left behind in northern communities — is also accepting donations.
In Alberta, Parachutes for Pets is accepting donations to its Northern Alberta Wildfire Support Fund.
In Saskatchewan, the Northern Animal Rescue Humane Society is taking care of animals that were moved south, as well as those left behind.
Chelsie Breeze, who is with the animal rescue, told CBC Saskatoon on Wednesday that they have been travelling into La Ronge to help the pets still there after Monday's evacuation order — either by rescuing them, leaving out water or untying them so they can run, if needed.
Breeze said she's had to "make some really quick, hard decisions about which animals to take and which to leave behind."
Northern Animal Rescue is accepting donations on its website.
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With files from CBC's Scott Larson, Hannah Spray, Lauren Scott, Mike Arsenault