It’s been about a week since the City of Prince George provided a place to go for displaced evacuees from the BC Wildfires that have ravaged the Cariboo.
Senior Communications Officer Mike Kellett says it has been quite the experience.
“I think it it’s important not just for officials but residents to reflect on what an amazing week it’s been and it has really been unique in the purest sense of the word in terms of the history of Prince George. When you think about it, just one week ago we found out about the dire situation for folks down in the Cariboo and one week later exactly we have now just passed 7000 registered evacuees.”
About 600 people have signed up to stay in lodging provided by CNC and the Charles Jago Northern Sport Centre at UNBC while the rest have found their own accommodations in local homes, properties and campgrounds.
Another town hall meeting for evacuees is scheduled for tonight at 8 pm from UNBC’s Canfor Theatre.
The speaking engagements are now a crucial part of the process Kellett says.
“The first town hall we had was last Sunday evening and they covered what’s going on back in the Cariboo because obviously, folks are interested in that and what’s going on here in Prince George and what services we’re providing. In a situation like this, you don’t want to get too fancy, you just want to provide the bare bones of information for people in terms of what they’re interested and that’s obviously what’s going on back at my home and what’s available here to me and for my family.”
The town hall on Thursday night was the first to be live-streamed.
Over 100 people in the three sites and another 426 watched the event online.
The recording of the Thursday town hall is available at www.princegeorge.ca/caribooevacuation.
A shuttle bus is operating between CNC and the Northern Sport Centre, connecting evacuees at both locations.
Those wearing a wristband that is provided to all evacuees during registration are able to ride the shuttle bus for free; PG Transit buses are also free to evacuees.
Since the Volunteer Centre opened on Thursday morning, over 500 people have signed up using this online form.