Responding to Canadian Wildfires
Your donation enables us to help Canadian evacuees find shelter and assist residents as they return home after the fire.
Your donation enables us to help Canadian evacuees find shelter and assist residents as they return home after the fire.
Samaritan’s Purse has been invited to help residents of Annapolis County recover possessions and remove debris after a destructive wildfire season.
It was a heartbreaking summer for households in southwestern Nova Scotia where the Long Lake Wildfire tore through Annapolis County. The out-of-control flames destroyed 20 homes and many more outbuildings, consumed 8,500 hectares of land, and forced over 1,000 people to evacuate.
An emotional fall has followed, as homeowners were given permission to return home beginning in mid-September. As more evacuees are allowed in, our Canadian Disaster Relief team will meet them there; Samaritan’s Purse has been asked by the county to assist families as they clean up in the aftermath. In the coming days, our Site Leadership Team will be mobilizing trained volunteers to search for salvageable belongings amongst the ashes, and to clear away damaged property.
“We are profoundly grateful to local authorities for inviting Samaritan’s Purse to stand with and support our Nova Scotian neighbors as they begin to heal from the devastating Long Lake fires,” said Tammy Suitor, Canadian Disaster Relief Manager. “To every resident returning to their property in Annapolis County: please know that you are not facing this challenge alone. Our dedicated staff and volunteers are mobilized and present, ready to walk alongside you, offering a helping hand and hope as you navigate this difficult journey of recovery.”
Rapid Response Team chaplains from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association will also be deploying to provide emotional and spiritual care as individuals process the disaster and begin recovering.
Please join us in praying for:
“In the day when I cried out, You answered me, and made me bold with strength in my soul” (Psalm 138:3).
Samaritan's Purse volunteers help residents of Denare Beach, Saskatchewan, find hope in the ashes of the Wolf wildfire.
The wildfire came faster than anyone expected. Whipped by a fierce wind, the Wolf Fire, as it came to be known, hit Denare Beach, Saskatchewan, with a speed and intensity that left many in shock.
"We were getting our boat loaded to get on the lake when I looked on Snapchat and saw the mandatory evacuation,” said Brooke, a mother of three.
Like many residents, Brooke's roots go deep in the community. She was born and raised in the northern Saskatchewan village, as was her mom. Then, just last year, Brooke and her husband, Kyle, bought a house next door to the one where she grew up. “It’s home," she said.
When the evacuation order came, Brooke and her family had just two hours to leave. “We didn't have time to pack like we were going to lose our house,” she said. While her husband and father stayed to help fight the fire, Brooke and her mom drove the kids many hours away to safety. Brooke did it all while 35 weeks pregnant.
The next days were filled with stressful waiting and sleepless nights as news trickled in that Denare Beach—their home—was burning.
The Wolf Fire destroyed over 200 homes in the village of just 700 people. Brooke's house and her parents' home were lost in the blaze. “It's been heartbreaking, stressful, like all the emotions you can imagine,” she said. “When you have kids, you just have to keep going."
One way Brooke and her family have taken a first step is through the help of a Samaritan's Purse Canada disaster relief team.
"I heard you guys were here and that you found my cousin's rings [in the ashes]," Brooke shared.
"It's hard to picture everything ending up in a dump, even just the ash. The ash is my wedding dress; it's everything that you had."
Our team arrived in the aftermath of the fire with a Disaster Relief Unit tractor-trailer and all the tools needed to help residents sift through the remains of their properties. Each day, volunteers, wrapped in protective gear, wade into the toxic ashes to search for items that may have survived the flames.
Brooke was looking for anything the team could find, especially cooking items that belonged to her grandma.
“It was better than I could have hoped for,” Brooke said. “They found my grandma's Dutch oven that she baked bread in and her cast iron frying pans, and some things from Kyle's family—some Christmas ornaments—things that were irreplaceable to us.”
The team also found cups belonging to Brooke's 4-year-old son. “Thanks! I've been looking for these,” he excitedly told the volunteers.
For Brooke, recovering each precious possession is all about closure. “It's hard to picture everything ending up in a dump, even just the ash. The ash is my wedding dress; it's everything that you had. Now I feel like I have closure, and we can get our yard demolished. What I could have found was found, and now it's time to move on."
Our team had one more gift. Before finishing at the property, each member signed a Bible, which they presented to Brooke and her family. The volunteers also had an opportunity to pray for them in Jesus' Name.
"Thank you so much for what you are doing,” Brooke shared. “It helps because people don't even know that there were things they could have found, things that can make them feel more at home again."
Denare Beach is a strong, hard-working community that faces a devastating tragedy. The road to recovery is often long and difficult. Will you ask God for His strength and peace to be with families like Brooke's?
Please also pray for the dedicated Samaritan's Purse volunteers who selflessly come from across Canada to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39).
One of those volunteers was Dawson, a forest firefighter who helped fight the Wolf Fire. Based just down the road from the Samaritan's Purse camp, he saw our vehicles while flying in and out on helicopters each day and decided he wanted to help.
On his two days off, he came and joined our team. “I wanted to help the community, and it's been really good,” he said. “One homeowner said we found his wife's smile again, which made it all worth it."
To date, over 86 families in Denare Beach have asked Samaritan's Purse for help. Our team will remain in the community until the calls to search for valued possessions are complete.
Precious Possessions Rescued in Denare Beach
Clothed in protective suits, Samaritan’s Purse volunteers waded into the ashes of Cory and Meredith Norman’s home. The Wolf Fire that tore through Denare Beach, Saskatchewan, on June 2, destroyed nearly everything the couple owned, including the home they had shared for years. This was the house where Cory grew up and the one his father and grandfather built. “It was very emotional coming back to see it,” said Meredith, who is also the chief administrative officer for Denare Beach.
Still, the Normans hoped something might have survived the flames, so they called Samaritan’s Purse. Equipped from one of our Disaster Relief Unit tractor-trailers, our volunteers sifted the ashes of their home, searching for precious possessions.
The couple asked the team to look for two of their wedding rings, an anniversary ring, and one necklace that belonged to Meredith’s grandmother. “We heard of your success finding things for other people,” Cory said, standing near the hole that used to be his basement. “I was going to go down in there and try, but I knew I would end up getting frustrated and just probably not successful. That’s why we got you.”
But hours of searching brought up little. Still, the volunteers dug, sifted, and prayed until the team lead called an end to the day. “It’s time to finish,” she told them.
Unwilling to give up, one team member dumped a final scoop of debris onto the sifter, and another immediately cried out, “Thank you, God!” All four pieces of the Norman’s treasured jewelry were in the last shovelful. We praise God!
“Everything important that we were looking for, they found it!” Cory said with a big smile. “We lost everything, but we still got that, and we’ll make it through this together.”
As the team celebrated with Cory and Meredith through hugs and tears, they also had an opportunity to present them with a signed Bible and pray with them in Jesus’ Name. “Thank you,” Meredith responded. “We are very, very grateful.”
Chandy, another homeowner, was overwhelmed when a Samaritan’s Purse team showed her a small angel pulled from the ashes of her home.
“To Nanny. Love, Chandy,” read a small inscription still visible on the bottom. Chandy’s eyes filled with tears when she held the figurine she had given to her late grandmother decades ago.
“My Nanny was my favorite person in the whole world,” Chandy told us. “I remember giving it to her for Christmas a long time ago. … It’s a Godsend.”
Another homeowner whispered to one of our team members after a Bible presentation, “Your companionship with me today meant the world to me.”
We thank God for partners like you who stand with Canadian families in crisis—sharing the hope of the Gospel in word and deed. As God’s Word says, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).
You made it possible to help 77 families in Denare Beach this summer. Samaritan’s Purse long-term recovery specialists have visited the community to explore how we might help further. Please keep praying for these families. Our teams also continue to monitor other wildfires, ready to respond across Canada in Jesus’ Name.
Melissa will never forget July 22, 2024. The Jasper, Alberta, resident and mother of two had just returned from camping. “I was sitting after being away, and I got a message from my friend: ‘You realize we’re getting evacuated, right?’”
Surprised, Melissa looked online to see an evacuation warning as wildfires had formed to the north and south of her community. Twenty minutes later, the warning became an order.
Melissa scrambled to pack a bag before joining an endless column of vehicles that jammed the only open highway. Thankfully, Melissa’s children were away visiting grandparents.
The next weeks were agonizing as she and 5,000 other Jasperites learned that the fire had reached their town. Melissa’s home survived the flames but was so water-damaged and moldy, it was uninhabitable. “We’ve been living in a hotel that’s locally owned for the last six months,” she said.
Melissa learned in February that she was eligible for temporary government housing on the outskirts of town. But without a vehicle, she had no way of moving, and her friends who would normally help were away. “Then, I met Mike from Samaritan’s Purse,” she said, “and he was like, ‘OK, what do you need?’”
Mike, one of our disaster recovery specialists, coordinated with Pastor Roy and his church to arrange for a team of young adults to move Melissa and her children. “It was incredible, just incredibly touching,” Melissa said.
The team also had an opportunity to pray with Melissa and other families. “We recognize that a lot of people in Jasper are not at all religious,” Pastor Roy said. “I just prayed a prayer of asking provision for them physically, emotionally, spiritually, in all the things that they would need. And I prayed a prayer of blessing over their home.
“My prayer is that through practical expressions of love in whatever ways we have and will have to serve our community, they will see Jesus in us.”
We also gave Melissa a home essential kit—one of 100 packed for Jasper residents at our Calgary warehouse. The kit contains bedsheets, dishes, a bath mat, a kettle, and many other items families need to start over. “To be gifted things like those basics so that when we check out of the hotel, we’re set up here and we can get started again is—I actually don’t really have words. Thank you,” Melissa said.
Please pray for Melissa and many others who face a long road to recovery. We are helping more displaced families move this month. Your prayers and support are critical to walk with them and share the hope of Jesus Christ.
Evacuation orders and alerts for more than 600 properties remain in effect as the Wesley Ridge wildfire, near Cameron Lake on Vancouver Island, continues to burn. Samaritan’s Purse relief specialists continue to be present and ready to serve in Jesus’ Name in Parksville, British Columbia. Our teams are operating between two mass care facilities. One facility will welcome evacuees with provisions including beds, blankets, pillows, and hygiene items. The second facility is ready to serve as overflow should the need arise.
The Wesley Ridge wildfire has burned roughly 538 hectares of land since it was discovered on July 31. Weather conditions continue to determine the best response and approach to contain the wildfire. As wildfire responses continue to prioritize protecting homes, properties, and critical infrastructure, Samaritan’s Purse teams are continuing to support residents.
“We continue to be in daily conversations with Emergency Management and Climate Readiness offices, we are working in partnership with Emergency Support Services in Parksville. We will continue to support those who need care as long as needed,” said Tammy Suiter, Manager of Canadian Disaster Relief.
As of August 6, there are 127 active wildfires in British Columbia. Please continue to pray for the Vancouver Island residents displaced by this fire and for firefighting crews and provincial emergency officials. Please also ask God to continue helping our teams care for these families and share the comfort and hope of Christ.
Our teams are often first on the ground in crises with a mission to reduce suffering, save lives, and share the hope of the Gospel where it’s needed most.
We serve in over 100 countries, partnering with local churches to meet urgent needs, including food, safe water, protection, and medical care in Jesus’ Name.
Wherever we go, we thank God for the opportunities to share the hope of the Gospel. Our ministry is all about Jesus—first, last, and always.
Our team responds to natural disaster crises with direct assistance and a message of hope.
We mobilize specialized staff and equipment as well as hundreds of volunteers to provide emergency aid and help with cleanup in the wake of severe wildfires, floods, hurricanes, tornados, and more. Over the last 20 years, we have helped over 20,000 Canadian communities recover from disasters. We work together with local and federal emergency response efforts to further our recovery and support efforts.
Samaritan's Purse Canada's Mass Care Program delivers rapid, compassionate relief to disaster evacuees across Canada. With two mobile units based in Calgary and Hamilton, we can establish 500-bed mass care centres within hours, providing cots, hygiene kits, and privacy screens. Our trained responders ensure safe, dignified environments, easing the burden on host communities. By partnering with local authorities, we support vulnerable populations during crises like floods or wildfires, offering stability and hope in Jesus' Name.
“When all the volunteers showed up, there were so many of them I lost count at like 20. We all gathered in the front yard of our house, and we prayed, and everybody came in and just went to work. They got so much done in such a short amount of time.”
—Tracy, a homeowner whose home was damaged during Hurricane Helene.
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Samaritan's Purse Canada is audited annually by an independent public accounting firm, and our financial statement is available upon request. Occasionally we receive more contributions for a given project than can wisely be applied to that project. When this happens, we use these funds to meet a similar pressing need as directed by our Board. Please visit our Annual Report and Financial Accountability page to learn more.
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