Calgary reception centre to remain open for 48 hours to support wildfire evacuees

Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek says the city's reception centre for Jasper wildfire evacuees will remain open for the next 48 hours.

Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek says the city's reception centre for Jasper wildfire evacuees will remain open for the next 48 hours.

The mayor made the announcement on Thursday, following some confusion over the centre's hours the day before.

The situation saw some evacuees turn up only to find the building closed.

"Last night, when I heard that some evacuees came to our city but did not get the normal warm Calgary welcome, I immediately reached out to Chief Sue Henry to understand the situation," the mayor said.

"She was already aware of what had happened, and quickly reopened the reception centre.”

The mayor said the reception centre was only closed for "about 20 minutes."

"To those evacuees who did not immediately receive assistance, I apologize sincerely. I can only imagine what it must have been like to have to rapidly evacuate and then drive 12 to 15 hours to show up here and be met with closed doors," Gondek said.