More than 10,000 evacuees in Prince George

On Monday, the total number of evacuees registered at the Emergency Reception Centre at the College of New Caledonia passed 10,000.

Included in this number:

• 8,313 adults
• 1,900 children
• 727 in group lodging
• 1,152 in RV parking
• 5,541 in alternate accommodation, such as billeting
• 917 in commercial lodging, such as hotels

The City of Prince George maintains a web page with useful and current information for evacuees and other members of the public: www.princegeorge.ca/CaribooEvacuation.

First buses depart Prince George for the Cariboo

Over the lunch hour yesterday, two Northern Health buses departed from the College of New Caledonia, the site of the City of Prince George’s Emergency Reception Centre, and headed towards the South Cariboo region with some very special passengers. On board were a few dozen people: the first evacuees in Prince George to be allowed back to the Cariboo region since the City activated Emergency Social Services (ESS) on July 8. They were travelling to the District of 100 Mile House and nearby areas such as 108 Mile and Lac la Hache, which have recently had their Evacuation Orders scaled back to Evacuation Alerts.

The City of Prince George continues to provide Emergency Social Services for hundreds of evacuees from areas still under Evacuation Orders, including Williams Lake, McLeese Lake, and 150 Mile House. Highway 97 north of Williams Lake remains closed to south-bound travel.

The Cariboo Regional District has provided information for residents returning home to areas no longer under Evacuation Orders.

Slave Lake donates

While the Cariboo wildfires have affected our region in multiple unprecedented ways, the story is a familiar one for others who have experienced wildfires in their communities. Last week, two residents of Fort McMurray arrived in Prince George with supplies for first responders and evacuees; yesterday two residents of Slave Lake arrived with a trailer-full of water, food, blankets and bedding, and baby supplies.

After backing up their trailer to a Salvation Army warehouse, Wayne Ghostkeeper and Don Willier jumped out of their truck and eagerly opened the doors of their trailer to reveal their goods and the signatures of residents and children from Slave Lake who were keen to send their best wishes to Prince George and the evacuees who are here.

“We went through this in 2011,” said Wayne. “Don even lost his house.”

The two are becoming familiar with these kinds of trips. Last year, with the same trailer, they delivered supplies to Lac La Biche in support of the community and evacuees from Fort McMurray.

The City of Prince George thanks Wayne and Don and ALL donors for their generosity and for their efforts to help support the evacuees. Here are some options:

Those wishing to donate financially can support of the BC Wildfires Appeal from the Canadian Red Cross. See their website for information. Donors can also contact the Salvation Army to discuss a financial contribution.

With regard to supplies, the City is not issuing an open call for the donation of goods but we are proud to work with partner organizations to store, organize, and distribute all goods that are donated.

Please do not bring donations directly to the Emergency Reception Centre at the College of New Caledonia or another evacuee facility to drop off goods because they cannot be stored there.

Rather, please contact donate@princegeorge.ca to discuss the delivery of your donation or for further information.

If you wish to donate goods/supplies, please first review the following list: