As the Challenge Penticton race approaches, hotel rooms are disappearing as an option for those coming to Penticton from fire-struck areas of the province.

That香蕉视频直播檚 not to say the city doesn香蕉视频直播檛 have room for evacuees 香蕉视频直播� volunteers with Emergency Social Services and staff at the South Okanagan Events Centre set up concourse on Monday.

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Though local ESS director Bonny Billups said those cots likely wouldn香蕉视频直播檛 be as comfortable for evacuees as a hotel room would be.

香蕉视频直播淩eally nice having the hotels rather than putting them into group lodging, because they香蕉视频直播檙e just, it香蕉视频直播檚 a lot kinder,香蕉视频直播� she said. 香蕉视频直播淐ot and a blanket and meals, you get in the group lodging.香蕉视频直播�

With that in mind, Billups said those who won香蕉视频直播檛 be able to stay in a hotel room should be seeking space to stay with friends or family.

香蕉视频直播淭he Challenge race takes up most of the hotels in town, so we香蕉视频直播檙e going to encourage people, stay with your friends and family if you can,香蕉视频直播� she said. 香蕉视频直播淲e don香蕉视频直播檛 provide billeting to different families, but if they have somewhere to stay and they need some assistance, come and see us.香蕉视频直播�

That aid will come largely in the form of groceries and incidentals, and the ESS also works with the Red Cross to reunite family members.

Billups also put out a call for any hotels or motels that have vacancy to contact the ESS at the Penticton Community Centre.

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香蕉视频直播淭hat would be very helpful,香蕉视频直播� she said, adding that there isn香蕉视频直播檛 a serious concern that an influx in evacuees this week would overload the emergency shelters.

香蕉视频直播淲e can put people into group lodging, as well,香蕉视频直播� she said. 香蕉视频直播淏ut we are encouraging people to try to find places to stay and then come in and ask for assistance with groceries and that kind of thing.香蕉视频直播�

Around 10 people are being put up in hotels that Billups is aware of, and they香蕉视频直播檒l be able to stay for at least for a few days.

香蕉视频直播淭hey香蕉视频直播檙e in for the full seven days from when they were issued their referral. The hotels have been very kind in helping us out that way,香蕉视频直播� she said.

香蕉视频直播淚f hotels have any space left for another seven days, we would appreciate knowing that. Because that香蕉视频直播檚 something that we香蕉视频直播檙e 香蕉视频直播� so we don香蕉视频直播檛 have to phone all the time. They can call in to our reception number and let us know what they香蕉视频直播檝e got available at their hotel.香蕉视频直播�

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As of Tuesday morning, 132 evacuees registered with the ESS in Penticton, meaning even if all those not staying in hotel rooms were sleeping in the SOEC, there香蕉视频直播檚 room for another 378 spaces immediately available for evacuees.

Currently, the major hurdle for the ESS if an influx of evacuees were to come to Penticton would be processing power. Billups told the Western News on Monday that she had around 30 volunteers working with her, but she香蕉视频直播檚 looking to train another 50.

But as it is, Billups said part of the allure for those who have come to Penticton was the lack of a lineup at the emergency operations centre.

While Billups did say there was somewhat of a rush on Monday, it slowed down into the evening, and no rush has been reported Tuesday morning.

Those who do come to Penticton have one important piece of advice from Billups:

香蕉视频直播淩egister, register register. That is so important to go in and register,香蕉视频直播� she said.

香蕉视频直播淚f they don香蕉视频直播檛 register, they can香蕉视频直播檛 get assistance. If they need assistance, we香蕉视频直播檙e here to help them.香蕉视频直播�

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