An arena in B.C.’s Okanagan is being used as temporary accommodation for evacuees fleeing B.C. wildfires, local officials announced Sunday. West Kelowna’s Royal LePage arena is being converted into “group lodging” to temporarily house people displaced from nearby communities amid a surge in wildfire activity, a statement from the city said, adding that all bookings at the venue have been cancelled for the next week. “Group lodging has been established to provide temporary accommodation as commercial lodging is at capacity. The facility currently includes 150 beds and can be expanded to accommodate up to 256 guests if required,” the statement from the city said. “Evacuees staying at the site have access to washroom and shower facilities and on-site security.” According to the B.C. Wildfire Service, a “dynamic weather event” brought fierce winds that fueled explosive growth on existing fires, as lightning strikes ignited new blazes—forcing more than 5,000 people from their homes in the span of 24 hours.
