UPDATE: Vernon opens ESS Reception Centre to receive evacuees from West Kelowna and Kelowna

News

(as of 12:40 a.m.)

The Central Okanagan Emergency Operations Centre (CORD Emergency) has issued additional Evacuation Orders in relation to fires in the Clifton Road North and McKinley areas of Kelowna. Those evacuees are being directed to the ESS Reception Centre in Vernon, if they do not have access to resources and accommodations with family or friends.

  • The ESS Reception Centre is located inside Kal Tire Place Arena (3445 43rd Avenue, Vernon, BC)
  • All evacuees should register online at https://ess.gov.bc.ca/, even if they’re attending a Reception Centre
  • Hotel accommodations in Vernon are extremely limited. Evacuees are strongly encouraged to reach out to family or friends for assistance as a primary option.
  • Vernon’s ESS Reception Centre will be close at 2:00 a.m. today (August 18) and will reopen at 9:00 a.m.
  • Kal Tire Place Arena will open at 7:00 a.m. today (August 18) and will be available for members of the public to walk around the concourse or take a rest in the arena seats.

For more information and updates regarding the McDougall Creek and Clifton/McKinley wildfires and their associated Evacuation Orders and Alerts, please visit the following websites:

For up-to-date road information, check DriveBC.ca.

_____________________________________________

(as of 9:30 p.m.)

The City of Vernon Emergency Operations Centre has been notified that many of the people who are being evacuated due to the McDougall Creek wildfire may be tourists.

As evacuees are leaving the area, it’s important to know the Province of B.C. Emergency Support Services (ESS) referral program is only available for those who have been evacuated from their permanent residence

If you are a visitor to the area who has been evacuated, you are encouraged to travel home if possible. Otherwise, you will need to make your own arrangements for alternative accommodations.
_____________________________________________

(as of 8:45 p.m.)

The City of Vernon has opened an Emergency Support Services (ESS) Reception Centre to receive residents who are being evacuated from their homes due to the McDougall Creek Wildfire (K52767), and are being directed to register with ESS in Vernon.

The Reception Centre is located at Kal Tire Place (3445 43rd Avenue, Vernon, BC).

All evacuees should register online at https://ess.gov.bc.ca/

For more information and updates regarding the McDougall Creek Wildfire and its associated Evacuation Orders and Alerts, please visit the following websites:

For up-to-date road information, check DriveBC.ca.

-30-