Red Cross program supports Sask. businesses, nonprofits affected by 2025 wildfires

Businesses and nonprofits affected by the wildfires that ripped through Saskatchewan over the summer could be eligible for $2,000 in financial support through a new program by the Canadian Red Cross.

The program, which is funded through a $15 million commitment from the Government of Saskatchewan, offers the funds to businesses and not-for-profit organizations located in communities that were forced to evacuate for a week or more during the wildfires.

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The funds can be used to cover expenses like clean-up costs, the Red Cross explained, along with insurance deductibles, costs to store or move inventory and other “urgent expenses.”

To be eligible, a business or organization must have been operating on or before the date of the evacuation, and must intend to resume operations. A full list of eligibility requirements and application information can be found on the Red Cross website, and applications will be accepted until March 27.

“In consultation with impacted communities, a program to help support trappers who were impacted by the wildfires and may not meet this eligibility criteria is in development and will be available in the new year,” the Red Cross noted in a statement.

In addition to the new program, the Red Cross noted that it is continuing to provide support to individuals and families who were impacted by the fires.

Luc Mullinder, the Red Cross’ vice-president for Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Nunavut, said the program will go a long way towards helping businesses recover and resume operations.

“Small businesses and not-for-profit organizations are the backbone of Saskatchewan communities,” Mullinder said in a statement. “By helping local small businesses and not-for profit organizations with some of the unexpected costs following the fires, these funds will make a lot of difference to further help recovery.”

Marlo Pritchard, president of the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency, shared his thanks to the Red Cross for the organization’s efforts to assist with the wildfire recovery.

“We appreciate the support the Canadian Red Cross is offering Saskatchewan small businesses by utilizing some of the $15 million in funding provided by the Government of Saskatchewan,” Pritchard said in a statement.

“This wildfire season was unprecedented and this will help in their recovery efforts.”