Feds planning evacuation centres in advance of wildfire season in Canada

The federal government says it is setting up evacuation centres across the country for people fleeing wildfires.

At a news conference on May 28, Emergency Preparedness Minister Eleanor Olszewski said Ottawa would work with the provinces and territories to set locations for the evacuation centres.

Last year’s wildfire season was the second-worst on record, with nearly 9 million hectares consumed — larger than the area of New Brunswick and P.E.I. combined.

Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty said last year was “exceptionally extreme” in terms of evacuations and authorities struggled to find hotel rooms for all evacuees.

Last year saw the highest-ever number of long-term evacuations of First Nations communities due to wildfires, with 21 communities forced to flee for longer than 60 days.

Olszewski’s office didn’t offer more details on the evacuation centres when asked, but said they’ll be mobilized when Ottawa receives a request for assistance.

By Nick Murray