Prince George is welcoming more residents of the Cariboo who are seeking refuge from the region’s wildfires. Last night, an evacuation order was issued for 100 Mile House and all of its residents were told to travel to Prince George to register at the emergency reception centre that has been set up in the College of New Caledonia.
The influx of evacuees is expected to exceed the housing capacity at the College and draw on the 200 beds that were set up on Sunday at the Charles Jago Northern Sport Centre, which is located on the campus of the University of Northern British Columbia. It is also leading the city’s Emergency Operations Centre to establish an additional accommodation site at Prince George Secondary School, which is across Highway 97 from the College of New Caledonia. Hundreds of more beds will be installed in the PGSS gym on Monday.
Evacuees arriving in Prince George are reminded first to register at the emergency reception centre on the College campus, which is located at the corner of Highway 97 and 22nd Avenue, north of the intersection of Highway 97 with Highway 16. Services, including lodging, will be assigned from the emergency reception centre. As of yesterday evening, roughly 800 people had registered at the centre for services such as food vouchers and lodging.
Town Hall
On Sunday evening, Prince George Fire Chief John Iverson and local representatives of the Red Cross held a “town hall” meeting at CNC for evacuees in order to provide an update on evacuation services.
Information included the new Canadian Red Cross registration system, which enables family and friends to know the whereabouts of loved ones and allows the Red Cross to contact people directly as more information and assistance becomes available. Registration is available at 1 800 863-6582 or online at: http://www.redcross.ca/how-we-help/current-emergency-responses.
How residents of Prince George can help
Those wishing to donate can support the BC Fires Appeal with the Canadian Red Cross.
Residents wishing to provide accommodation for a person or family often do so via social media, including by posting on the City’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/cityofpg.
The City has a list of dozens of trained volunteers it is drawing from to help with its efforts. All volunteers must first be properly trained prior to being given a placement.