Kelownasa国际传媒檚 Emergency Support Services (ESS) centre has seen many evacuees as wildfires burn and grow in the Interior.

The recent rash of evacuation orders for the community of Falkland has had residents scrambling to get out, most of them registering and checking in at the ESS in Salmon Arm.

Some of them, however, chose to go to Kelowna.

ESS director for the Regional District of Central Okanagan Catherine Williams said, since wildfire season began, they have seen many people go through their doors.

sa国际传媒�(Evacuees) are coming from all over, from all of our fires,sa国际传媒� she said.

sa国际传媒淲esa国际传媒檝e had (people from) Ashcroft, Oliver, Spences Bridge, Lytton, we even had a lady from Bella Coola who couldnsa国际传媒檛 get home because of the Anahim Lake fire, so she was a stranded traveller.sa国际传媒�

Williams said because itsa国际传媒檚 such a fluid situation, theysa国际传媒檙e unsure who will show up next, what they will need, or where they will choose to go.

So far, she added that there is enough emergency accommodation for evacuees who choose to come to Kelowna, but that could change quickly if large-scale evacuation orders come.

sa国际传媒淲esa国际传媒檙e still OK here in Kelowna. Itsa国际传媒檚 busy but with people checking in and checking out, wesa国际传媒檙e managing,sa国际传媒� she said.

She added that the most important thing to remember is to be in communication with friends and family about your evacuation plans so in case you do have to leave your community, theysa国际传媒檒l know where you are, and yousa国际传媒檒l have a way to store some of your belongings, including pets.

sa国际传媒淚f you have pets, please try and find accommodation for them (before you come). We are incredibly short on places to (board) pets. There are only so many hotels that will take them, and most of them are full,sa国际传媒� she said.

sa国际传媒淧lease be prepared. These fires are no joke. They move quickly.sa国际传媒�

Williams added that while they appreciate donations, they are asking people to donate with gift cards and gas cards instead of physical items.

sa国际传媒淭he evacuees, when the order is rescinded and theysa国际传媒檙e going back home, they may need to gas up in Vernon or something, so gas cards would be helpful,sa国际传媒� she said.

sa国际传媒淣othing physical, we donsa国际传媒檛 have the storage space. People can donate to the Salvation Army as well if they want.sa国际传媒�

If you would like to donate, volunteer, or you are an evacuee, more information is available for you through the .

READ MORE: North Okanagan attractions housing wildfire evacuees

twila.amato@blackpress.ca
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