Wildfire evacuees from the Yekooche First Nation and Burns Lake area began arriving in Prince George on Wednesday night, according to information released by the City of Prince George on Thursday.
The city has opened an evacuee reception centre in the Kin 1 Arena Lounge, located at 2181 Ospika Blvd. in the CN Centre complex. The evacuee reception centre is currently open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Evacuees needing after-hours assistance can phone 778-675-3735.
“As of last night, approx. 80 evacuees from the Yekooche First Nation are being registered and will be provided hotel rooms in accordance with EMCR (Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness) supports,” a city spokesperson said in an email. “Another approx. 40 households evacuated from the vicinity of Burns Lake were also due to arrive last night. Additionally, there are approximately 750 homes now on (evacuation alert).”
The evacuee reception centre will reopen open during known evacuations in the region, the city statement added.
