Feds approve assistance to help B.C. fire evacuees with shelter

CANADA Feds approve assistance to help B.C. fire evacuees with shelter By Sean Previl Global News Posted August 9, 2026 4:18 pm Updated August 9, 2026 4:52 pm 4 min read WATCH: Crews continue to battle the massive Bald Range wildfire near Summerland, B.C., with thick smoke limiting helicopter and air tanker operations. LEAVE A COMMENT SHARE THIS ITEM ON FACEBOOK SHARE THIS ITEM ON X SEND THIS PAGE TO SOMEONE VIA EMAIL SEE MORE SHARING OPTIONS DESCREASE ARTICLE FONT SIZE INCREASE ARTICLE FONT SIZE As people flee from growing wildfires in parts of British Columbia, the federal government says it has approved a request for assistance to provide shelter and accommodations for those who’ve been forced from their homes. Emergency Management Minister Eleanor Olszewski said in a statement she’s tasked federal officials to work with the province to ensure support reaches “those who need it most.” “The federal government is here to support British Columbia and everyone in the province impacted by this summer’s wildfires for as long as it takes,” she said. That response will be good news for many, including some at an evacuation centre in Penticton who say they’ve been sleeping in their vehicles since first arriving. Allan Jennens told Global News late Saturday evening he had spent 14 hours in line trying to register for assistance and was now staying nearby in hopes of being successful on Sunday. He said sleeping in his car leaves room for others who need a bed. STORY CONTINUES BELOW ADVERTISEMENT “There is (a bed) if you have no other place to sleep,” Jennens said. “I’ve seen some elderly people who had no other place to go. So we sleep in our cars so they can have the beds.” Jennens said he learned late that day that his family’s home was still intact, which he called a “total relief,” but that may not be the reality for others. People from Summerland, the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen, and the Penticton Indian Band have all sought shelter at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre as they wait to find out what has happened to their homes. About 10,000 homes are under evacuation orders in these regions, with more than 3,200 under alerts that stretch north past Peachland to Highway 97C and south past Penticton on its western outskirts. Get breaking Montreal news Get breaking Montreal news delivered to your inbox as it happens so you won't miss a trending story. SIGN UP FOR BREAKING MONTREAL NEWSLETTER GET STARTED BY PROVIDING YOUR…