WILDFIRES – Kamloops activates emergency services centre for Canyon

As Fraser Canyon wildfires intensify, the City of Kamloops has activated an Emergency Support Services reception centre at the McArthur Island Sport and Event Centre to support evacuees displaced by evacuation orders and alerts.

The reception centre is available to assist eligible evacuees from the Boston Bar area with accessing Emergency Support Services and completing applications for available supports.

Evacuees are being encouraged to monitor Emergency Info BC at EmergencyInfoBC.gov.bc.ca for the most current information regarding evacuation orders, alerts, and wildfire-related updates affecting their communities.

Late this afternoon (July 22, 2026) the Thompson-Nicola Regional District expanded an evacuation alert for residents near the Fiftynine Creek fire in Electoral Area E (Bonaparte Plateau). That order now covers 93 properties.

Areas near Little Big Bar Lake, White Lake, and Alberta Lake remain on Evacuation Alert. Properties in the area of Highway 97 near Meadow Lake Road and Big Bar Road, and properties east and west of the Village of Clinton boundaries are being newly placed on evacuation alert.

Those on evacuation order or alert for the Fiftynine Creek fire have been invited to attend one of two information meetings Thursday, July 23. They can attend either on Zoom at 2 p.m. or in person at 6 p.m. in the Clinton Memorial Hall, 306 Le Bourdais Avenue.

The City thanked residents willing to offer support but said the reception centre can’t  accept donations of any kind or accommodate walk-in volunteers.

The primary function of the reception centre is to process evacuees’ applications for Emergency Support Services assistance. “This provincially mandated process requires specialized training that cannot be provided during an active emergency response,” the City said.

“Additionally, the team does not have the capacity to collect, store, or distribute donated goods.

“Residents who wish to help are encouraged to connect and donate directly with their preferred local community group, non-profit organization, faith-based organization, and cultural group that may be coordinating support efforts.

“Those interested in supporting future emergency responses as trained Emergency Support Services volunteers can learn more and register their interest at Kamloops.ca/ESSVolunteer. As capacity allows following the current event, volunteer coordinators will contact prospective volunteers with information about upcoming training opportunities.”

The City also said B.C. residents are encouraged to prepare for future emergencies by creating a profile at ESS.gov.bc.ca and verifying their identity through the BC Services Card app. Residents can learn more about identity verification by visiting ID.gov.bc.ca. Completing these steps before an emergency can help streamline access to supports when they are needed most.