A raging wildfire that forced the evacuation of 2,500-3,000 residents of Fort Nelson this weekend has prompted the city of Prince George to open its Emergency Social Services Centre.
The new site of the ESS at Exhibition Park north of the speedskating oval is equipped with three portable trailers to serve as a base for staff to register fire evacuees who come to Prince George.
The centre opened Saturday at 8 a.m. and will be open daily while it is needed to support evacuees..
On Sunday the ESS is open from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Monday to Saturday it will be activated from 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
Evacuees can call to register at 778-675-3735.
The Parker Lake fire west of Fort Nelson discovered on Friday grew to 1,600 hectares on Saturday. It's believed to have been caused by a tree falling on a power line.
During large-scale evacuations, provincial emergency information centres will be open to assist evacuees, responders and suppliers.
The provincial ESS contact number is 1-800-585-9559.
ESS provides short-term relief for people displaced by wildfires, floods or other natural disasters the force mass evacuations. The centres are financed by the provincial government and are administered by local and Indigenous governments.
They provide information, hotel vouchers and meal vouchers to registered evacuees.
