Time running out for McDougall Creek wildfire evacuees to claim expenses

There were long delays for people forced to evacuate their homes in August when the McDougall Creek wildfire roared into West Kelowna and surrounding areas.

Now additional people may now be eligible to claim expenses, according to Kelowna West MLA Ben Stewart.

“I conveyed those frustrations and many of the problems faced on the ground to the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness,” Stewart said in a news release issued today, Oct. 11.

“As a result of those conversations, residents who were on evacuation from their primary residence between August 17 to August 23, 2023, may now be eligible for reimbursement for commercial accommodation and food.”

The deadline to apply is 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 15.

Receipts are needed for commercial accommodation but no receipts are needed for meals which will be paid at $53 per day.

The application form for compensation can be accessed here.

For more information email EMCR.ESSApplications@gov.bc.ca or phone 1-800-585-9559 during regular business hours.

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