City of Kamloops providing aid to Clinton-area wildfire evacuees

Highway 97 is also closed in both directions between Loon Lake Road and 76 Mile Frontage Road, and the next update is currently expected at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday (July 29).

“Usually, we’re putting in an evacuation order pretty much right as it’s happening… but based on the projected growth the Wildfire Service was seeing, they recommended we put 70 Mile on order nearly 24 hours ahead of time,” TNRD spokesperson Colton Davies said.

“It gave people a bit of time to prepare.”

For many forced to leave their homes, Kamloops has become a hub for emergency support. Since July 21, the City of Kamloops says it has assisted approximately 460 evacuees at its Emergency Support Services (ESS) reception centre at McArthur Island.

It notes it has helped people who were in need of accommodations, meals and even temporary care for their pets.

“These evacuees are going through some of the toughest times in their lives. They don’t know if they’re coming home to a home. Trying to make them as comfortable as possible in a not-great situation is really important,” said Kathleen Cahoon, an ESS response officer.

With hotels in Kamloops nearing capacity, staff have expanded their search for rooms to nearby communities like Merritt and Sun Peaks. City staff noted that 20 evacuees used a group lodging facility at McArthur Island over the weekend, with that space able to support up to 113 people.

Samaritan’s Purse, which provides disaster relief and emergency response services, is helping support group lodging operations at McArthur Island, while The Salvation Army is helping provide meals to evacuees.

The BC SPCA is also on site with pet food and other animal care supplies for evacuees. Pet lodging facilities have also been set up at the Cooper Centre, and its being operated by the Canadian Disaster Animal Response Team. The city said 14 cats and eight dogs are being cared for at that facility, which is also being supported by Ruff Start Rescue and Four Paws Food Bank.

Work is also underway to establish a “transportation loop” to connect accommodations, meal service locations and pet care facilities.

“Once this is in place, this service will help improve accessibility and make it easier for evacuees to move between key support locations,” EOC Director – and Kamloops Fire Chief – Ken Uzeloc, said.

He also noted that representatives from Interior Health, the First Nations Health Authority and Disaster Psychosocial Services are on hand to provide mental health and wellness supports for evacuees who may be experiencing stress, uncertainty, or disruption because of displacement.

The United Way of British Columbia (UWBC) has also launched a province-wide appeal for donations to help support wildfire evacuees to help ensure there is money to support evacuees during their time of need and not after the fact.

Emergency officials in Kamloops noted that all of those efforts are with the goal of making sure no one is left without somewhere safe to stay.

“We’ve handled about 460 evacuees come through here to get registered for support, assistance, accommodations, vehicle supports, food, pet supports… we’re trying to make as much of a situation as we can for those during this time,” Uzeloc added.

Back in Clinton, crews continue searching for hot spots and assessing damaged properties as residents eagerly wait for the village’s safe return. Mayor Roland Stanke says misinformation is circulating online, making an already difficult situation even harder for evacuated residents.

“They need to stay focused, stay calm. Pay attention to the bi-daily reports the village has putting out. Look at the TNRD website. There’s a lot of other media is in effect where you get your your factual information,” said Stanke.

In Kamloops, officials say the emergency support services will remain open as long as wildfire activity continues.

“Obviously, we take our direction from the province and so will work as the province is willing to support. We will support here in Kamloops, as we always do with our volunteers in the city,” said Uzeloc.

– With files from Victor Kaisar/CFJC Today

by Jeremy Russo

City of Kamloops providing aid to Clinton-area wildfire evacuees

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