British Columbians offer shelter, supplies following Lytton fire
After a fast-moving fire ravaged the village of Lytton, B.C., people in cities across the province have been quick to lend a helping hand.
Less than 24 hours after the fire, several online fundraisers had already collected over $100,000 in donations for evacuees, many of whom fled the fire with none of their belongings.
On social media, many are posting in wildfire and evacuation support groups, offering rooms in their homes for evacuees.
“They’re welcome to stay, and I’ll make them some food and coffee,” says Chilliwack resident Heather Leavesley.
“I know it can be very stressful and chaotic, and you don’t know what to do first when you’re evacuating your home, so I’m offering my place for whoever is able to stay here.”
Offering shelter is nothing new for Leavesley, who says she took in evacuated livestock on her property during the 2017 B.C. wildfire season.
Evacuation reception centres have been established in neighbouring cities in B.C.’s interior, and as far west as Chilliwack.
“So far we’ve received one family needing support,” says Chris Wilson, assistant chief of the Chilliwack Fire Department. “We’re assisting them right now. This program is being delivered through our Emergency Support Services volunteers and in conjunction with Emergency Management BC.”
Lytton has a population of about 250, but it’s believed roughly 1,000 people fled the village and the surrounding area. Evacuees are urged to check in at reception centres to get any personal supplies or food they might need. They can also get help securing temporary accommodations, which can be challenging during the Canada Day long weekend. The province says those who don’t require services must register online.
“If you’ve been evacuated, whether or not you need support, register right away at ess.gov.bc.ca so that we know where you are and that you are safe,” says Mike Farnworth, B.C. minister of public safety.
Meanwhile, all tourism associations across the Fraser Valley are collecting the following items for evacuees in need:
- New/unused bedding, such as: pillows, blankets, sheets, etc.
- Gently used or new clothing items of all sizes
- Gently used or new children’s toys
- New/unused personal hygiene items, such as: sanitizers, soaps, feminine hygiene items, face and body care items, etc.
- Gift certificates to grocery stores, pharmacies, and other essential services
- Personal electronics, such as: cell phones, chargers, batteries, computers, laptops, cameras, etc.
- Non-perishable food items, bottled water, juice boxes
- Camping supplies, such as: tents, sleeping bags, etc.
- Pet supplies, such as: food, leashes, collars, kennels/cages, etc.
Donations can be dropped off at any visitors centre across the Fraser Valley beginning at 8:30 on Friday morning. On Friday afternoon, the goods will be delivered to Boston Bar, where they’ll be distributed with the help of the Boston Bar First Nation.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'They needed people inside Air Canada:' Police announce arrests in Pearson gold heist
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
House admonishes ArriveCan contractor in rare parliamentary show of power
MPs enacted an extraordinary, rarely used parliamentary power on Wednesday, summonsing an ArriveCan contractor to appear before the House of Commons where he was admonished publicly and forced to provide answers to the questions MPs said he'd previously evaded.
Leafs star Auston Matthews finishes season with 69 goals
Auston Matthews won't be joining the NHL's 70-goal club this season.
Trump lawyers say Stormy Daniels refused subpoena outside a Brooklyn bar, papers left 'at her feet'
Donald Trump's legal team says it tried serving Stormy Daniels a subpoena as she arrived for an event at a bar in Brooklyn last month, but the porn actor, who is expected to be a witness at the former president's criminal trial, refused to take it and walked away.
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
Doug Ford calls on Ontario Speaker to reverse Queen's Park keffiyeh ban
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is calling on Speaker Ted Arnott to reverse a ban on keffiyehs at Queen's Park, describing the move as “needlessly” divisive.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
Woman who pressured boyfriend to kill his ex in 2000s granted absences from prison
A woman who pressured her boyfriend into killing his teenage ex more than a decade ago will be allowed to leave prison for weeks at a time.
Customers disappointed after email listing $60K Tim Hortons prize sent in error
Several Tim Horton’s customers are feeling great disappointment after being told by the company that an email stating they won a boat worth nearly $60,000 was sent in error.