The CN Centre grounds are now home to three new housing trailers and a bathroom trailer, which have been set up in preparation for potential wildfire evacuees.
Tanya Spooner, manager of emergency programs for the City of Prince George, said the trailers proved useful last wildfire season and have been approved for use again this year by the province.
Spooner told The Citizen the trailers were essential to both operations and evacuations last year.
“Last year, we based our entire emergency support services operations for the season out of those trailers,” said Spooner. “The positive for us was that it allowed us to set up for the season once and be ready at a moment’s notice with a turnkey setup. In previous seasons, we would have had to identify an available city facility and move equipment in, so there was a setup delay to receive people. That’s the real benefit for us.
“Last year, we used it for several evacuations. We first received evacuees from Fort Nelson early in the season. Then we had people from Wells, Barkerville and Jasper.”
Spooner added that local First Nations were involved in the trailer setup last year, and she plans to involve them again this year.
“Last year, we did arrange for the trailers to be smudged and blessed at the beginning of the season. We haven’t made plans for that yet, but we intend to do the same this year," she said. “One of the trailers that’s there is one we set up intentionally as a cultural activity location. So if we were to receive a First Nation for another evacuation this year, we would make that trailer available to them to use either as a community or band council space. It’s there to support the First Nations who are coming in.”
While some may be concerned that the city is already preparing for evacuees, Spooner said it’s an unfortunate reality that readiness is necessary.
“The reality is that every year since 2017, we’ve had some form of evacuation come to Prince George. We’ve proven ourselves available and ready to receive evacuees from the region.
“As much as I’d like to say there’s not going to be a wildfire season this year, we know there will be some sort of wildfire season. We just don’t know when or where those events might happen.
“I think it’s really important for us to be prepared to receive people whenever it does happen … Our team is ready and prepared. The fact that we’re preparing is a normal part of our year. It doesn’t necessarily mean we have some knowledge that something’s going to happen — it’s just part of our duty and responsibility to be ready if and when that happens.”
Spooner said additional equipment and furniture will be moved into the trailers on April 22 and 23.
