City of Edmonton evacuee reception centre to close as wildfire threat eases for Drayton Valley and Brazeau County
May 22, 2023

After 19 days of supporting displaced evacuees, the City of Edmonton will wind down services and close the Drayton Valley and Brazeau County evacuee reception centre at EXPO Centre at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, May 23, 2023.

“We are pleased that we were able to answer the call and help our neighbours in Drayton Valley and Brazeau County when they needed it most,” said Andre Corbould, City Manager. “Good neighbours look after each other and that’s what we did. I hope that the work of our Office of Emergency Management and Emergency Support Response Team has shown Edmontonians both that we are known for our ability to help others, and that we are well prepared to support Edmontonians in an emergency.”

Since May 5, nearly 3,100 Albertans were registered and offered support by the City of Edmonton. At the EXPO Centre, more than 10,000 meals were served, about 275 sleeping cots were available, and hotel bookings were arranged for more than 500 households. Services and supplies at the reception centre included clothing, baby items, hygiene products, a prayer room, shower and laundry services. 

On and offsite, Animal Care and Control Centre provided animal care, supplies and support for Drayton Valley and Brazeau County’s pets. Over the past two and a half weeks, approximately 1,700 pets were taken in and out and 336 were registered. 

Additional support services from Red Cross, insurance companies, Alberta Health Services, Alberta Supports and Service Canada will end on-site operations in conjunction with the closure of the reception centre. 

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

The centre was operated by the City’s Emergency Support Response Team (ESRT), which provides shelter, food and clothing for people displaced by an emergency or a disaster. ESRT can quickly reactivate the centre to support future evacuees if the need arises.





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