Arena ready for evacuees

Wildfire evacuees from the Cariboo are expected to pour into Penticton over the next couple days. 

Volunteers set up beds and other necessities at the South Okanagan Events Centre on Monday, with the city striving to provide ample space for victims of the wildfires. 

"We are setting up 400 cots and we're still doing lodgings. A lot of people are staying with family and friends," said volunteer Bill Billups, "I figure 500 to 1000 [evacuees]." 

By 4 p.m. Monday about 90 people had checked in with Emergency Support Services (ESS) at the Penticton Community Centre, but many more are expected by Tuesday, according to the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen.

"Group lodging is not ideal and we get that, but it's the best we can do when we get the overflow," Billups said. "Kamloops has probably got two, three, four, group lodgings already, they are totally maxed out."

The ESS is currently looking for donations of cash, non-perishable food items and trained volunteers.

A training session will be held Tuesday evening. For more information, volunteers are asked to check in with the reception desk at the Penticton Community Centre.