Over 200 wildfire evacuees from the Ulkatcho First Nation are heading home this week, as evacuation orders in the West Cariboo region are officially lifted.
The Cariboo Regional District and the Ulkatcho Nation rescinded the orders earlier this week, clearing the way for residents displaced by the Beef Trail Creek wildfire to return to their community. The lightning-caused fire has burned approximately 140 square kilometres since it was first discovered on August 27. It remains classified as “out of control.”
The City of Kamloops has been hosting evacuees since September 8, with most of the 208 registered individuals staying in local hotels during their time away from home. Of those, 180 accessed provincially funded supports through Emergency Management BC, which covered accommodations, meals, and other essentials.
Ty Helgason, Emergency Services Coordinator for the City of Kamloops, said the transition home has required careful coordination — and compassion. “Quite a few folks have taken off in their personal vehicles, there was also a bus brought in, and their community van is making trips too — including for those with accessibility needs,” Helgason said. “We’re just happy to have them on their way back to their home community.”
While many evacuees have already departed, a small number remain in Kamloops to attend medical appointments or complete other obligations before returning home.
Helgason noted that a “community navigator” has been instrumental in ensuring that all evacuees are accounted for and properly supported during the transition. “There’s a community navigator who helps track who’s still here, who’s left, and what supports are still needed. It’s just about winding things down now and making sure everyone gets home safely,” he explained.
Hosting evacuees for more than a week came with logistical and financial challenges, but Helgason said Kamloops was well-supported by a network of provincial and local partners. “It takes a whole community to support another one. From Interior Health to cultural navigators, emergency management teams, and our accommodation partners — everyone came together to make this possible.”
The city will be reimbursed by the province for expenses related to the emergency response, though final costs have not yet been tallied.
The last evacuees are expected to leave Kamloops by the end of the week.
— Emergency Info BC (@EmergencyInfoBC) September 16, 2025
