City Anticipating More Evacuees This Week

Aug 13, 2018 | 2:58 PM

PRINCE GEORGE- The CN Centre is home base for a number of evacuees this week, as evacuation orders and alerts remain in place for many communities across the region. Compared to last year, the reception centre is quiet, but it’s anticipated more people will be needing assistance this week. On Friday, the City had received just eight evacuees but it says that number has grown to about 100 over the weekend. Adriana Louis is a Stellat’en First Nation liaison, while their community is not on an evacuation order yet, she has helped to bring elders and people with chronic illness to Prince George to escape the smoke. “It’s a little bit disheartening, that’s our homelands, and they’re on fire right now,” said Louis, “everybody has been really great, there’s a lot of effort and we are very grateful for everyone’s support.”

Mayor Lyn Hall expects more evacuees this week, as fires continue to burn out of control across the region. “If you take a look at what’s going on in the Bulkley Valley area… there’s still nervousness, the fires are still raging on, and it’s a very difficult situation for every one of the communities it’s impacted. There’s a lot of them.”

Evacuees are encouraged to visit the City’s website for more information. The City says it is not looking for volunteers at this time.