The B.C. government is partnering with Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc to build a temporary camp at the Tournament Capital Ranch in Rayleigh meant for people who have had to flee their homes due to wildfires this summer.

Emergency Management Minister Bowinn Ma says the camp – which will have room for up to 300 people – is scheduled to open on August 16.

“This is, I think, a really exciting partnership, but at the same time we hope we will never have to use it,” Ma said, during a news conference Thursday.

“But it is better for us to be prepared than to be surprised by a mass evacuation, especially when we know that hotel accommodations and other commercial accommodations are limited in a lot of areas because of tourism.”

Ma says the Province has been closely working with First Nations and local authorities to help house evacuees should the need arise.

“Evacuating from your home is difficult and stressful. The last thing evacuees should have to worry about is whether they will have a safe place to stay,” Ma added. “By working together, we’re ensuring that people have a place to retreat in the unfortunate event that they need to evacuate.”

“What is particularly special about this camp is that Tk’emlúps te Secwepemc will be providing cultural and traditional supports for Indigenous people who might need it. So cultural activity spaces for smudging and prayers.”

In a statement, Tk’emlúps Kúkpi7 Rosanne Casimir, says her community recognizes the need to be proactive and ready to face challenges that might come up “in the face of the ever-growing threat of wildfires.”

“This partnership is a testament to our determination to lend a helping hand to the people who need it the most,” Casimir said. “This evacuee site will also provide essential culturally safe support to Indigenous Peoples who have been forced from their home communities.”

People who have been ordered out of their homes are being told to register online for emergency support services. They’re also being told to make arrangements to stay with friends or family, if possible, though there are resources for people who have nowhere to go.

“Those initial needs will be met by our ESS volunteers that are at the reception center,” The City’s Emergency Preparedness Manager, Will Beatty, told Radio NL. “Once that needs assessment is conducted, those needs identified, will be addressed immediately.”

In late July, Beatty said the Kamloops reception centre was assisting evacuees from both the Thompson-Nicola and Squamish-Lillooet regional districts.