BCNU Supports Members Affected by Wildfire Emergency

The devastating 2026 wildfire season has seen thousands of British Columbians forced to evacuate their homes and communities. BC’s nurses are among the many who have been directly affected by the disaster. The province-wide state of emergency has resulted in BCNU members being evacuated from their communities and has created unexpected financial pressure during an already difficult time. 

To better support affected members, BCNU Council has voted unanimously to provide an additional one-time disaster relief payment of $1,500 for eligible members who have been evacuated from their primary residence during the 2026 BC wildfire season. The payment is in addition to the lifetime maximum of $1,500 available through the NBA Hardship Assistance Fund and is intended to assist with disaster-related expenses arising from evacuation, such as temporary accommodations, meals, clothing, transportation, and loss of or damage to a primary residence.  

Eligibility is limited to members who: 

• Were subject to an official evacuation order or tactical evacuation affecting their primary residence 
• Are confirmed by their health authority as having been evacuated (based on the Wildfire – Evacuation Alert & Order list provided to BCNU from the health authority) 

Members under evacuation alert only are not eligible for this additional payment. 

How to apply 

Members can access their regional NBA Hardship Assistance Application in the BCNU Member Portal under Members > Documents and Forms > Forms > Bursaries and Funding. 

Important: Please select the disaster relief option on the application form. Then use the details field to specify the application is for the 2026 wildfire relief and explain how it meets the eligibility criteria listed above.

Applications for this additional payment will be accepted until Dec. 1, 2026.