Province ends Emergency Order restricting accomodations early

KAMLOOPS — British Columbia’s minister of emergency management says an order restricting travel to many communities in the southern Interior due to wildfires will be lifted tomorrow (Aug. 23). Bowinn Ma says non-essential travel can resume in the region.

The order will be lifted for Kamloops, Kelowna, Oliver, Osoyoos, Penticton and Vernon. However non-essential travel to West Kelowna continues to be prohibited and people are being urged to stay away from the Lake Country and Shuswap areas.

“The emergency order we put in place on Saturday has had the effect we required and thousands of hotel rooms were made available for people forced from their homes, as well as the many firefighters and emergency crews who are protecting us during the worst wildfire season in our history,” said Ma. “Working with local governments and First Nations, we will continue to place people in the accommodations that are now available.”

Ma also asked anyone planning to travel into the B.C. Interior to avoid fire-affected communities and listen to the direction offered by local community leaders.