The McArthur Island Emergency Reception Centre in Kamloops. (Photo via Victor Kaisar)
The City of Kamloops activated its Emergency Operations Center on Thursday, Aug. 17, to help support evacuees who were displaced from their homes due to wildfires.
A number of evacuees from the Adams Lake area and the North Shuswap are being directed to the Emergency Social Services Reception Centre at McArthur Island. The North Kamloops facility also has a number of beds in group lodging for people with nowhere else to go.
Speaking Friday, the City’s Emergency Operations Director, Greg Wightman, said Kamloops has also taken in evacuees from the Kookipi Creek fire burning along Highway 1 near Boston Bar, south of Lytton.
Earlier in the year, Kamloops was also supporting evacuees from the Thompson-Nicola and Squamish-Lillooet Regional Districts.
Some other evacuees from the Shuswap are also at the 300-person camp on Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc land in Rayleigh, which was scheduled to open last week.
All evacuees are also being told to register for Emergency Support Services here, and to try and stay with friends or family, if possible.
Outside McArthur Island, a firefighter camp has been set up on soccer fields, just past the Sport and Event Centre.
The firefighter camp at McArthur Island in Kamloops.
“Kamloops Fire and Rescue is supporting BC Wildfire Services with structural protection units deployed to the Kelowna area and to the Bush Creek/Lower East Adams Lake fire,” the City said, in a statement.
“Kamloops Fire and Rescue has sufficient resources within the city to provide effective fire suppression service to our community.
Speaking to media Friday, Kamloops Fire Deputy Chief, Ryan Cail, said the department was “healthy and ready to go” as current resources in Kamloops were “well above” the minimum of one fire engine stationed on either side of the Thompson River.
“This weekend is going to create a whole interesting situation that we’re just getting prepared for but we’re confident that our crews are ready to handle the situation as it comes.”
There remains no threat to Kamloops as the Ross Moore Lake fire, 10 kilometres south of City limits, fared much better that the two Adams Lake fires.
“Ground crews and aerial resources were able to continue to contain and action this wildfire despite incredibly challenging and windy conditions [on Friday],” the BC Wildfire Service said. “There was no considerable growth on this fire on Aug 18, with the exception of the fir stands on the southeast flank of the fire.”
“The fire is still within the previously established guards.”
Evacuation orders remain in place for 48 TNRD properties, south of Kamloops, with another 306 on alert.
“Residents are encouraged to follow BC Wildfire Services for the latest information on fire activity,” the City of Kamloops’ statement added, noting people should still stay vigilant and prepare for wildfires by reviewing information here.
It also said those wishing to make donations or volunteer their time should contact local aid agencies or community groups.
“We appreciate that people want to help, but our ESS team at the Reception Centre is focused on helping the evacuees and unfortunately don’t have the time to connect with interested volunteers,” the City said.
“If you’ve applied to volunteer, you will receive a follow-up email in the coming days.”
