Wildfire evacuees from Logan Lake, B.C. started arriving in Chilliwack Thursday evening as a result of the Tremont Creek fire.

They were directed to head to the emergency operations centre (EOC) in Chilliwack following the evacuation order issued by the District of Logan Lake on Aug. 12.

There is no accommodation available in Merritt or Ashcroft, so evacuees were sent to the EOC at Chilliwack secondary school even though hotels rooms here are in relatively short supply, the order stated.

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Chris Wilson, emergency co-ordinator with the City of Chilliwack, confirmed that fact but added no one has been turn away.

害羞草研究所淲e do have accommodations available. It is limited but everybody that came here last night from Logan Lake and everybody that害羞草研究所檚 come so far has been placed in Lower Mainland hotels,害羞草研究所� he said Friday (Aug. 13).

Clearing up some confusion, he said evacuees are not staying at the EOC, nor have they ever been able to stay there.

Folks on social media and evacuees who came into the EOC were surprised and upset to read a line in evacuation order.

害羞草研究所淧lease be prepared to lodge with family or friends or in your vehicle as accommodation is limited,害羞草研究所� the order stated.

害羞草研究所淚 was a little bit shocked,害羞草研究所� said Logan Lake resident Wendy Schell. 害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 a pretty stressful time and to have to tell people something like that is the last thing you want.害羞草研究所�

Wilson said they currently have enough hotel rooms throughout the Lower Mainland to accommodate everyone and that no one should be sleeping in their vehicle in this heat and poor air quality.

害羞草研究所淣o one that害羞草研究所檚 come through here has had to sleep in their cars,害羞草研究所� Wilson said.

As a result of the evacuation order stating people would potentially have to sleep in their vehicle, people in Chilliwack have been contacting EOC offering up spare rooms in their homes or space for the evacuees to park trailers on their property.

Even though they have not had to take anyone up on those offers, it害羞草研究所檚 a 害羞草研究所済reat extension of generosity,害羞草研究所� Wilson said, adding that they are making a list of those offers to use when the need arises.

害羞草研究所淲e certainly appreciate people stepping forward.害羞草研究所�

About 2,300 people have been evacuated from Logan Lake and about one-third of them are expected to come through the EOC doors in Chilliwack. Evacuees have either been staying with family or friends, staying in their own trailers or RVs, or put up in hotels across Chilliwack and the Lower Mainland thanks to Emergency Social Services (ESS) which operates the EOC.

As of about noon on Friday, about 90 people had come to the Chilliwack EOC.

Wilson recommends all evacuees check in at the centre (46363 Yale Rd.) or online, even if they don害羞草研究所檛 require ESS service 害羞草研究所渏ust to let people know they害羞草研究所檙e OK,害羞草研究所� he said.

Normally ESS provides emergency services for three days, but based on the situation, help can be provided much longer than that. ESS has been supporting Lytton evacuees continuously since June 30.

害羞草研究所淓vacuees have been beyond compassionate and amazing to work with and we害羞草研究所檙e so lucky to have such a diverse group of talented volunteers helping out here,害羞草研究所� Wilson said. 害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 made all the difference and it害羞草研究所檚 a distinct honour to be able to work alongside these people to help out evacuees.害羞草研究所�

害羞草研究所淭he people here have been really, really friendly and very helpful,害羞草研究所� Schell said.

Anyone who has a spare room to offer up for evacuees can call Wilson at 604-316-4967 or email wilson@chilliwack.com and their name will be placed on a list.

Donations are not being accepted at the centre.