Calgary,
23
May
2023
|
12:52
America/Denver

City of Calgary evacuee reception centre to close as wildfire threat eases

As the numbers of evacuees from wildfires trends downward and more of the wildfires are brought under control, The City of Calgary and the Alberta Emergency Management Agency have decided to close Calgary’s reception centre for evacuees at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, May 24, 2023.

The families currently being housed through the assistance of the Calgary Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) will be supported through this transition.

Since May 8, 81 Albertans were registered and offered support by The City of Calgary. Mount Royal University has been the site of the reception centre since May 19; before that evacuees were checking in at the Grandstand on the Calgary Stampede grounds.

“I’m proud of our Emergency Social Services team at The City of Calgary,” said Coby Duerr, Acting Chief, Calgary Emergency Management Agency. “Lending support to our neighbours in central and northern Alberta is the right thing to do.”

As other municipalities and counties across the province have adequate resources and capacity to accommodate evacuees in their communities, Calgary’s reception centre is no longer required.

Donations are not being accepted at the reception centre. Evacuees can still access services at alberta.ca/emergency or by phone at 310-4455.