Wildfires burn through Alberta
There are currently over 100 wildfires burning in Alberta, 23 of which are out of control. These active wildfires have burned approximately 105,000 hectares of land. In the Lesser Slave Lake area alone, 15 wildfires are burning out of control.
According to a Government of Alberta update, as of May 17:
- wildfire in Slave Lake is out of control and has burned approximately 2,000 hectares
- wildfire along south shore of Lesser Slave Lake is out of control and has burned 15,000 hectares
- wildfire 23 km south of Loon Lake is out of control and has burned approximately 30,000 hectares
- wildfire 15 km southeast of Gift Lake is out of control at approximately 80 hectares
- wildfire 7.5 km northeast of Red Earth Creek is out of control at approximately 3,000 hectares
- wildfire burning north of Fort McKay is being held at approximately 2,000 hectares
- wildfire 27 km south of Kinuso is out of control and approximately 3,000 hectares
- wildfire 12 km northwest of Cadotte Lake is out of control and approximately 700 hectares
- five fires are burning 25 km north of Rocky Mountain House, covering approximately 816 hectares
- wildfire approximately 5 km south of Chisholm is being held at approximately 516 hectares
- wildfire in Richardson Backcountry is approximately 40,000 hectares and burning on both sides of the Athabasca River
Government of Alberta map on fire movement. From Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Alberta-Wildfire-Info/357885625988
Multiple forest fires north of Fort McMurray required the evacuation of about 2,000 oil workers on Monday.
The following reception centres continue to be in operation for residents in need of assistance:
- Westlock Community Hall, 10711-104 Ave. (www.westlock.ca, 780-349-8744)
- Athabasca Multiplex, #2 University Dr. (780-675-2967)
- Edmonton Expo Centre, 7515-118 Ave. (www.edmonton.ca, 780-442-5311)
Contact Numbers:
- Albertans can call toll-free to 310-4455 to access current information about the wildfire situation such as Red Cross information, highway closures, and websites to visit for more information.
- Red Cross Central Registration Inquiry Bureau is: 1-800-565-4483.
- Any family members who are looking for information on where medical patients were moved can call Alberta Health Services at 1-866-301-2668.
Insurers are stepping in to help. The Co-operators has implemented its Catastrophe Response Plan to serve its approximately 450 clients in the area. Additional dedicated insurance professionals as well as crisis counselors are now available to provide support and assistance to those affected by this tragic event.
Contact information for The Co-operators, including reporting of claims:
1. By Phone
Call 1-877-NU-CLAIM (1-877-682-5246)
24/7 service.
Clients affected by the Slave Lake fire can press “8″ to be immediately connected with a Property Claims Representative, who will collect information, set up a claim file, provide direction and answer any questions about coverages.
2. In Person
In Athabasca – until Friday, May 20
Andrea Piquette Co-operators Agency
4916B 49 Street
Athabasca
In Athabasca – beginning Friday, May 20
Our mobile office will be operational in Athabasca
In Westlock
Roxanne Gaetz Co-operators Agency
10A – 10404 100 Street
Westlock
In Edmonton
Co-operators Claims Office
500, West Tower, 14310 – 111 Avenue
Edmonton
Aviva Canada is in the area, helping its customers. Area residents with an Aviva, Aviva Elite or Aviva Traders policy are asked to contact Aviva as soon as possible. Aviva adjusters are in the Slave Lake area and a temporary office location has been established at the New Western Athabasca Inn, 5211-41 Ave, Athabasca. Initial support will focus on issuing cheques for living expenses and other immediate needs.
“Responding to the needs of Aviva policyholders is paramount in a situation like this. We will be there for them,” said Maurice Tulloch, President and CEO Aviva Canada.
As soon as the evacuation order has been lifted from Slave Lake, a new temporary Aviva location will be established in the town and adjusters will start visiting Aviva policyholders to assess property damage. The claim process can be started by calling 1-866 MY AVIVA (1-866-692-8482).
The Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) has deployed its Community Assistance Mobile Pavilion (CAMP) to help impacted residents and businesses.
IBC CAMP staff will be at the Athabasca Multiplex, 2 University Drive, to answer insurance-related questions for Slave Lake residents and business owners impacted by the wildfires.
“Fortunately, early reports indicate there were no serious injuries as a result of the wildfires,” said Doug Noble, Vice-President, Alberta and the North, IBC, in a statement. “But the property damage to homes and personal property, businesses and public buildings is extensive.”
CAMP is one of a number of initiatives by Canada’s home, car and business insurers to help Canadians prepare for, and cope with, disasters. The national program provides disaster victims with on-site, quick-response, insurance-related information.
In addition to speaking with IBC representatives with CAMP, impacted residents can call IBC’s Consumer Information Centre in Alberta at 1-800-377-6378 (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.) for answers to insurance-related questions.
