The City of Kamloops has opened up the Emergency Support Services Reception Centre at McArthur Island for people in the Kamloops Fire Centre under an evacuation order.

Emergency Preparedness Manager Will Beatty says the city is currently assisting wildfire evacuees – from both – the Thompson-Nicola and Squamish-Lillooet Regional Districts.

Beatty explains those whose primary residence is under Evacuation Order, can apply for Emergency Support Services in person at the McArthur Island Sport and Event Centre or online on the BC Government’s website.

“As they go through registration and referral at the reception center in Kamloops, the reception center itself in support of those communities is at McArthur Island and will continue to remain open from 10 a.m. Monday onward.

Beatty says if possible, people on evacuation order should try to stay with friends or family.

“The intent is for folks to be personally prepared, so the best case scenario is that you find somebody that is fairly close to you that you know, either through family or friends, and have that ability to bill it.”

However, Beatty says there are resources for people with nowhere to go.

“Those initial needs will be met by our Emergency Support Service (ESS) volunteers that are at the reception center. Once that needs assessment is conducted, those needs identified, will be addressed immediately.”

Beatty says ESS assistance may include vouchers for hotels and food in Kamloops or a stipend provided by the province for a specific amount of money for food per person or family.

Meanwhile, Beatty encourages people to download the BC Service Card App. 

“There are electronic transfers to get funds to evacuees immediately.”

If more evacuation orders are issued across the Kamloops Fire Centre Beatty says public venues — such as gymnasiums — could be used to house groups of evacuees unable to find a place to stay.

An evacuation order remains in effect for 344 properties in the Thompson-Nicola Regional District, with another 157 or so on evacuation alert due to the Ross Moore Lake fire, south of Kamloops.

An evacuation order was expanded over the weekend by the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District and the Tsal’alh First Nation for the entire area of Seton Portage & Tsal’alh due to the Casper Creek Wildfire which is estimated to be 2,000 hectares.

For the latest evacuation orders and alerts within the TNRD, go here.