Calgary reception centre to remain open until Monday
The number of evacuees who have arrived in Calgary nearly doubled Thursday – and people forced from their homes in Jasper are still coming.
It will take time until people are allowed back into town but Calgary groups and businesses are banding together to support evacuees.
As the wildfire quickly approached Jasper, evacuees had just hours to grab what they could before leaving.
And Calgary has become a landing spot for hundreds of evacuees.
The city's evacuation reception centre saw 960 people as of Friday morning.
People grabbed the most important things, including their pets.
Parachutes for Pets has received more than 500 calls this week.
They're providing food, supplies and shelter, if needed.
Also helping get people through: dozens of businesses and charities.
From free passes at recreation centres to meals at restaurants and glasses at eye centres, evacuees are being helped in many ways.
But with that generosity comes a caution:
"We just want to remind everyone to, before they open their heart and wallet, just to take an extra moment, or just to verify the individual or the organization that they're planning to give to just to make sure that they are who they say they are," said Odeta Doroftei with the Better Business Bureau.
The help is welcomed by those evacuated.
"They were offering clothes and stuff because, you know, a lot of our friends don't have family here, so they had nowhere to go," said Jasper evacuee Aiden Lloyd Perez.
The evacuation centre at Shouldice Arena, 1515 Home Road N.W., will remain open throughout the weekend.
Originally, the city was considering closing it Friday but they're still seeing evacuees come by to register and get help.
Calgary will keep it open 24 hours a day until at least Monday.
This evacuation centre is not accepting donations.
Instead, people are asked to email emergencysupportoffers@gov.ab.ca.
And Parachutes for Pets is gathering pet supplies and money at their location.
Those who have fled Jasper and arrived in Calgary can call the organization's Angel Team line at (368) 999-6460 for help, including the delivery of pet hampers and supplies, animal safekeeping and vet care for those suffering from the smoke and heat.
Both the federal and provincial governments say they will each match donations to the Red Cross for the next 30 days.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.7029443.1725744633!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
Police release video of Toronto plaza shooting that killed university student
A university student from Brampton was killed when two shooters fired indiscriminately into a crowded plaza in Toronto last month in what police say was a 'cowardly act.'
'Extremely vigorous' wildfire activity in central B.C. prompts crews to back off for safety
The wildfire fight in central B.C. intensified Friday, according to officials.
The iPhone is getting a 'glow' up. What to expect from Apple's Monday event
Apple excited fans with its vision for its 'Apple Intelligence' artificial intelligence system earlier this year. Now, it's time for the company to prove it really works.
They were due to leave for their dream cruise in May. Three months on they’re still stuck at the departure port
It was the years-long cruise that was supposed to set sail, but saw its departure postponed… postponed… and postponed again.
Here's what jobs will survive in the AI boom: Statistics Canada estimates
A recent study by Statistics Canada sheds light on how different occupations may be affected by the AI boom, including those who might lose their jobs in a more automation-driven future.
Oiler Corey Perry gets assist during Friday Night Smackdown at Rogers Place
The Worm made a guest appearance on WWE's Smackdown at Rogers Place Friday night.
Trudeau insists he's staying on as Liberal leader. But what if he changes his mind?
The Liberal caucus is set to meet in Nanaimo, B.C., next week for a retreat ahead of the fall parliamentary sitting. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau insists he will lead his party into the next election despite polls citing his unpopularity among Canadians. Here's a look at what would happen if he decided to call it quits.
The 33 most anticipated movies of the fall
Here are some of the most anticipated films of this fall, from large to small and everything in between.