RMWB, First Nations apply to province, feds for Fort Chipewyan wildfire relief – Fort Mcmurray Today
Jul 10, 2023
The total cost of fighting the wildfire and housing Fort Chipewyan evacuees is being calculated by most involved agencies, including the municipality and Indigenous communities.
The municipality is applying for provincial funds to recover costs associated with fighting the Fort Chipewyan wildfire last month. The Athabasca Chipewyan and Mikisew Cree First Nations are applying for similar relief from Indigenous Services Canada (ISC).
The total cost of fighting the wildfire and housing Fort Chipewyan evacuees is still being calculated by most involved agencies, including the municipality and Indigenous communities. Nearly $700 million has been spent by the province battling wildfires this year, said Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver.
The Alberta government has set aside $175 million in disaster recovery funding for municipalities and Métis settlements dealing with a wildfire season that has been more chaotic than expected.
The provincial funds can cover volunteer firefighter wages, staff overtime, and outfitting evacuation centres. It could also funding repairs to infrastructure damaged during the fight to keep wildfires away from communities. Applications can be made for up to 90 per cent of those outstanding costs.
