As wildfires burn around the province, Kelowna will be one of the many hubs for evacuees.
(JENNIFER STAHN / iNFOnews.ca)
July 12, 2017 - 5:05 PM
Wildfire evacuees from across the province should continue to make their way to Kamloops Emergency Social Services reception centre or as directed, but evacuees already in the Okanagan can take advantage of a new reception centre in Kelowna.
The Regional District’s Emergency Operations Centre was requested by Emergency Management B.C. to provide temporary group accommodation for up to 500 people on evacuation orders due to the fires in the Okanagan Similkameen, Thompson Nicola region, and the Columbia Cariboo regional districts.
All those on evacuation order are being asked by officials to register at the reception centre set up by Emergency Social Services at 1480 Sutherland Ave. in Kelowna. The centre will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Additionally, the YMCA is offering free access for those on evacuation order, with identification.
Jordan Turner, spokesperson for Emergency Management B.C. says evacuees should continue to go to Kamloops but if they are already in Kelowna or the Okanagan and it's more convenient they can take advantage of services there.
"Kelowna opened because people headed in many different directions from the wildfires," he said. "Right now Kelowna is helping us fill a need in that area."
Evacuees with questions about emergency services in Kelowna are asked to call 250-469-8490.
For a list of contact information for officials with the Thompson-Nicola Regional District, B.C. Wildfire Service, Emergency Information B.C., and Drive B.C. post updated information online, go here.
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