All of Fort McMurray is under a mandatory evacuation order as a massive wildfire burns in the community.
Tens of thousands of residents of the northern Alberta community have been forced to leave. Premier Rachel Notley said Tuesday this is one of the largest fire-related evacuations in Alberta’s history.
READ MORE: All of Fort McMurray evacuated as wildfire intensifies
On Wednesday night, Anzac – where an evacuation centre was set up – was put on a mandatory evacuation order.
A number of workforce camps opened up rooms to accommodate people. The list can be viewed here.
About 1,300 rooms are available at Black Diamond’s Sunday Creek Lodge about 15 kilometres south of Conklin. Those looking for accommodation in this area are asked to visit the lodge’s website.
READ MORE: Fort McMurray wildfire and the smoke-trapping inversion which made the fire look calm
People in the region have also started a Facebook page to offer up spare rooms and beds for those with nowhere else to go. On Twitter, people started using the hashtag #ymmhelp to also offer a place to stay.
A second Facebook page was also set up with people offering up places to stay.
A website to offer a home or apply for a home to stay in has been set up.
Northlands Expo Centre in Edmonton was accepting evacuees beginning at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday. About 18,000 people were expected to arrive in Edmonton for assistance.
If you arrive in Edmonton you do not need to register at Northlands.
READ MORE: Fort McMurray evacuees arrive in Edmonton
Lewyk Campground across from Noralta said it has room and is welcoming tents, RVs and vehicles. The campground is located directly across from Noralta on the other side of Highway 63, about 21 kilometres from town.
North of Fort McMurray, the Wapasu Creek Lodge has opened its doors.
The County of Lac La Biche has set up an evacuation centre at the Bold Center. Three-hundred camping stalls have also been set up, and additional rooms have been made available in surrounding hamlets. Those looking for accommodations in the area are asked to check in first at the Bold Center.
Free accommodations began popping up on Airbnb for those searching for a place to stay.
The Guru Nanak Sikh Society Gurdwara in Edmonton has offered bedrooms, basement suites and other accommodations throughout the city. To find a place you can call 780-935-2786.
Edmonton’s Al-Rashid Mosque has opened its doors at 13070 – 113 St. At least one bus load of people from Anzac are on their way to the mosque.
The Fort McKay Business Centre is welcoming evacuees in Fort McKay.
In St. Paul, evacuees can head to the Centennial Recreation Centre at 4802 53 Street.
In Drayton Valley, evacuees are taking refuge at the Omniplex at 5737 45 Avenue.
In the town of Athabasca, evacuees can head to the Athabasca Agri-plex at 2 University Drive.
The Smokey Lake Reception Centre has opened its doors to evacuees as has the Community Hall in Grasslands, located on Main Street.
The Fort Chippewan Reception Centre is accepting evacuees but only First Nation band members.
In Calgary, the residence tower at SAIT is opening its doors for Suncor employees and evacuees in camps. It is located at 151 Dr. Carpenter Circle NW.
Evacuees should contact Red Cross at 1-888-350-6070 to register their location. It’s important to register to ensure officials know how to reach you and to verify you got out safely.
Mental health support is available by calling Alberta’s 24-hour Mental Health Help Line at 1-877-303-2642.
You can follow the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo and Alberta Emergency Alert on Twitter for the latest updates.
Edmonton radio stations 630 CHED and iNews 880 will broadcast live with the latest updates on the situation.
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