Calgary changing operating hours for Jasper wildfire reception centre

As Jasper wildfire evacuees spend longer and longer away from home, more are finding refuge in Calgary. With that, the city says changes are coming to its reception centre.

The city says as of Friday morning, 1,575 evacuees have registered in Calgary.

Evacuees are still encouraged to register with the province.

If accommodation is needed, people can register at Calgary’s evacuee centre at the Shouldice Arena at 1515 Home Road NW.

Friday will be the last day the centre is open 8 a.m. to midnight. As of Saturday, the city says it will operate from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

This comes after hours were extended earlier this week.

If evacuees arrive outside of those hours, they are encouraged to call 311 for help.

The Canadian Red Cross is providing a one-time financial assistance payment of $750 for Jasper evacuees. Information on that can be found at www.redcross.ca/albertawildfires or by called 1-800-863-6582 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. MDT.

Information on evacuation payments provided by the Alberta Government can be found at evacuationpayment.alberta.ca

The city says members of Canada Task Force 2 are still on the ground in Jasper supporting the wildfire response.