Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer

Pauline and Heinz Weigelt were evacuated from their home in 108 Mile House two weeks ago and still have no idea when they can go back.

The couple, who registered at the emergency social services reception centre in Penticton on Thursday, are among the 45,000 forced out of their homes by this summer's BC wildfires.

"We are just waiting to go home," said Pauline Weigelt. "Although we don't know anything definite about the state of our house."

Their ordeal, which they have shared with their dog Tessa, started two weeks ago when a fire started outside 108 Mile House at Gustafsen Lake.

After learning they had to suddenly evacuate with only a half hour to do so, they made their way to Penticton to stay with their daughter.

"We got the things we cared about into a suitcase and threw our silverware and china in our swimming pool," Weigelt said. "It was really scary because we headed down here and got as far as Clinton and got stopped and had to go back. We then took another route to Little Fort, then heard there were fires there.”

“We then got through on Highway 7 and Highway 5 to come here."

With the exception of a brief trip to Vancouver, the pair have remained in Penticton since.

On Thursday they registered at the ESS on someone's recommendation.

"I think there has been a lot of confusion since this all started, but all the volunteers have been incredibly nice," she said. "We really want to thank all the people who are helping because they have been incredible, patient and very kind."

As of Thursday evening 346 evacuees, mostly from the Cariboo, had registered with Penticton ESS at the community centre.