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.

That91裸聊视频檚 not to say the city doesn91裸聊视频檛 have room for evacuees 91裸聊视频� 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 wouldn91裸聊视频檛 be as comfortable for evacuees as a hotel room would be.

91裸聊视频淩eally nice having the hotels rather than putting them into group lodging, because they91裸聊视频檙e just, it91裸聊视频檚 a lot kinder,91裸聊视频� she said. 91裸聊视频淐ot and a blanket and meals, you get in the group lodging.91裸聊视频�

With that in mind, Billups said those who won91裸聊视频檛 be able to stay in a hotel room should be seeking space to stay with friends or family.

91裸聊视频淭he Challenge race takes up most of the hotels in town, so we91裸聊视频檙e going to encourage people, stay with your friends and family if you can,91裸聊视频� she said. 91裸聊视频淲e don91裸聊视频檛 provide billeting to different families, but if they have somewhere to stay and they need some assistance, come and see us.91裸聊视频�

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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91裸聊视频淭hat would be very helpful,91裸聊视频� she said, adding that there isn91裸聊视频檛 a serious concern that an influx in evacuees this week would overload the emergency shelters.

91裸聊视频淲e can put people into group lodging, as well,91裸聊视频� she said. 91裸聊视频淏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.91裸聊视频�

Around 10 people are being put up in hotels that Billups is aware of, and they91裸聊视频檒l be able to stay for at least for a few days.

91裸聊视频淭hey91裸聊视频檙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,91裸聊视频� she said.

91裸聊视频淚f hotels have any space left for another seven days, we would appreciate knowing that. Because that91裸聊视频檚 something that we91裸聊视频檙e 91裸聊视频� so we don91裸聊视频檛 have to phone all the time. They can call in to our reception number and let us know what they91裸聊视频檝e got available at their hotel.91裸聊视频�

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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, there91裸聊视频檚 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 she91裸聊视频檚 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:

91裸聊视频淩egister, register register. That is so important to go in and register,91裸聊视频� she said.

91裸聊视频淚f they don91裸聊视频檛 register, they can91裸聊视频檛 get assistance. If they need assistance, we91裸聊视频檙e here to help them.91裸聊视频�

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