Wildfire response update | Phase 2
A short bridge from evacuation to stable accommodations
Naramata Centre continues to offer limited temporary accommodations to people whose primary residence is under an official evacuation order. Effective Sunday, August 16, our response has moved from immediate crisis intake to Phase 2, a clear path toward stabilization.
Phase 1 is closed to new requests and arrivals. Submitting a Phase 2 request is not a reservation. Accommodations are confirmed only after eligibility, availability, identification, payment arrangements, and required acknowledgements are complete.
What has happened
Phase 1 created immediate safety while the crisis was at its most urgent.
Beginning August 7, Naramata Centre opened available rooms and sites quickly, simplified intake, waived immediate charges for many households, coordinated practical support, and made space for children and families during a frightening period.
As of August 16, our records show that this response has served 65 people, delivered or committed 578 guest nights, and used 28 rooms or sites. The recorded accommodation value is $52,482.
The $52,482 figure is accommodation value, not a total of cash donations. Donation totals and the number of donors will be reported separately after the donation records have been reconciled. No guest or donor names will be published in that summary.
Phase 1 was immediate shelter. Phase 2 is a time limited bridge to a sustainable next arrangement.
What we are doing now
Phase 2 begins August 16.
The immediate emergency period has changed. Naramata Centre must protect a limited pool of emergency rooms, honour existing reservations, and make each arrangement clear from the beginning.
Confirm the affected household
Support is for people whose primary residence is currently under an official evacuation order. The primary registrant must present government issued photo identification and evidence of the affected primary address. If evacuation made those documents inaccessible, ask us about a time limited alternative review.
Confirm ESS and other funding
We will ask about ESS, insurance, employer assistance, and other accommodation coverage. Guests are responsible for contacting those providers and keeping their support current.
Set the plan before night four
A valid credit card must be on file unless an alternate arrangement is approved in writing. The card is not charged for an approved three night emergency bridge. Any fourth night requires payment or an approved written payment arrangement.
Phase 2 applies to all new requests and to wildfire accommodation reservations arriving on or after August 16, including reservations arranged before this date. A team member will review the terms with each household.
Accommodation pathways
Emergency rooms and paid accommodations now have separate roles.
Emergency bridge accommodations
- Limited to Maple Court
- Maximum of three consecutive nights without an accommodation charge
- Available only after Phase 2 verification and approval
- Designed to give the household time to activate ESS, insurance, family, employer, or other support
- Not renewable as an open ended no cost arrangement
Paid evacuee accommodations
- Primarily Orchard Court, East Court, and cottages, subject to availability
- Pets are placed in East Court when practical and when an approved pet friendly space is available
- Reservations longer than three nights require payment arrangements before confirmation
- Accounts must be paid in full every seven days
- Room changes may be required to honour reservations already booked by other guests
Meals and food service are not provided. Kitchen access varies by accommodation and will be confirmed with the room assignment.
Phase 2 process
What to expect
Submit one request
Provide household details, the affected primary address, evacuation order information, requested dates, pets, accessibility needs, and the status of ESS or other coverage.
Complete verification
A team member confirms eligibility and availability. The primary registrant presents ID and address evidence. We view only what is needed and do not routinely copy identification or record its number.
Confirm the arrangement
Before arrival, complete the agreement and place a valid card on file or receive written approval for an alternative. The confirmation states the room, dates, charges, payment schedule, and any possible room move.
Emergency Support Services
Naramata Centre is not an ESS accommodation supplier.
We cannot accept an ESS hotel referral, guarantee reimbursement, or invoice ESS directly. If you need provincial support, register with ESS, contact your reception centre if instructed, and keep any approved support current. ESS support is generally reviewed or renewed weekly.
BC Evacuee Helpline: 1 800 387 4258. For an immediate life safety emergency, call 911.
Temporary programs
Special wildfire response supports are scheduled to conclude after August 23.
Children and youth access, other special wildfire response programming, and the temporary pantry were created for the immediate emergency period. They are scheduled to end after Sunday, August 23, unless Naramata Centre confirms an extension in writing.
Please plan beyond next week
The pantry is temporary and should not be relied on after August 23. It is not a continuing meal or grocery program, and availability cannot be guaranteed while it remains open.
Accommodation may continue separately
Ending temporary programming does not automatically end a confirmed paid accommodation arrangement. Accommodation dates and payment terms are set out in the individual confirmation.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Who can request Phase 2 accommodations?
People whose primary residence is currently under an official wildfire evacuation order. An evacuation alert alone does not qualify. Eligibility, verification, availability, and required arrangements must be complete before confirmation.
Are three nights automatically guaranteed?
No. The three night emergency bridge is subject to eligibility, verification, approval, and available Maple Court space. Nothing is guaranteed until Naramata Centre sends a written confirmation.
Why is a credit card required?
Phase 2 requires a clear arrangement before arrival. A valid card is held on file unless an alternative is approved in writing. It is not charged for an approved three night emergency bridge. Any later charge must follow the written confirmation and payment arrangement.
What happens after the third night?
Before a fourth night, the household must have payment or an approved written payment arrangement in place. If that is not possible, the household must work with ESS, insurance, family, an employer, or another longer term accommodation provider. Naramata Centre cannot operate as an open ended no cost hotel.
Can Naramata Centre use my ESS referral?
No. Naramata Centre is not an ESS accommodation supplier and cannot accept a hotel referral or invoice ESS. Contact ESS or your reception centre for an approved supplier. If ESS provides funds directly to you, ask our team how your personal payment arrangement can be updated.
What if I cannot access my identification?
Tell us before arrival. If evacuation made your documents inaccessible, an authorized leader may approve a time limited alternative verification process. Approval is not automatic.
Will I have to move rooms?
Possibly. Existing reservations remain valid, and room availability changes. We will give as much notice as we reasonably can and will discuss the next available option with you.
What if I cannot use the online form?
Call or email and a team member can help record the Phase 2 request. Calling does not guarantee accommodations.
Phase 2 request
Begin with the Phase 2 request form.
Please do not use the former Phase 1 form or the regular booking system for a wildfire accommodation request.
If you are able to help
Support the wildfire response and recovery.
Donations help Naramata Centre cover the real cost of emergency accommodations and responsible transition support. A privacy safe donation summary will report the reconciled amount and number of donors without publishing names.
The $52,482 impact figure above is recorded accommodation value. It is not the donation total.