The City of Vernon Emergency Support Services (ESS) Reception Centre is set up to receive residents who are being evacuated due to the White Rock Lake Fire (#K61884) and are being directed to register in Vernon.
The Reception Centre is located at the Dogwood Gym in the Vernon Recreation Centre (3409-35th Avenue).
All evacuees should register online with the ESS Evacuee Registration & Assistance (ERA) tool even if you do not require referrals such as housing or other services: ess.gov.bc.ca.
“Due to a shortage of hotel accommodations, please consider making arrangements to stay with family or friends if possible,” said the city. “Take pets with you if you can.”
If you require services, please visit the Vernon ESS Reception Centre. The Reception Centre is open Monday, Aug. 2.
The City of Armstrong, along with the Township of Spallumcheen, have activated Emergency Social Services (ESS) support for evacuees as well.
The Interior Provincial Exhibition Fairgrounds will be utilized to assist those that have been impacted by these evacuations.
“We are requesting the public’s assistance in respecting the privacy of those affected and are asking the public to use other municipal properties and parks at this time,” said City of Armstrong community services manager Warren Smith.
For more information on the evacuation orders, please contact each Regional District or First Nations Band office directly.
For more information on this fire and other fires in BC please go to www.bcwildfire.ca or call 1-888-336-7378.
For more information and updates regarding the White Rock Lake Fire and Evacuation Orders and Alerts, please visit the following pages:
Regional District of North Okanagan
NOTE: This story was updated again at 12:24 p.m., fixing address for Dogwood Gym
NOTE: This story was updated at 10:47 a.m. Monday, Aug. 2, to include information about City of Armstrong and Township of Spallumcheen also establishing ESS reception centre
READ MORE: UPDATE: Kelowna International Airport flights cancelled due to White Rock Lake wildfire
READ MORE: UPDATE: Evacuation orders, alerts for Westside as White Rock Lake wildfire grows
roger@vernonmorningstar.com
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