With the wildfire situation improving significantly in the Kamloops area, Tk’emlúps te Secwepemc will be closing its emergency operations centre.

Kukpi7 Rosanne Casimir says Thursday’s breakfast will be the last meal served at the pow wow grounds, which has housed people for several weeks after they had be evacuated from their homes.

“For those still requiring support, please contact the local ESS reception centre at McArthur Island Sports Centre or the Canadian Red Cross,” she said. “I just want to take this opportunity to say Kukwstéc-kucw (thank you) to all those volunteers and people who have helped to support the evacuees.”

“Your kindness and generosity have made a big difference in the lives of people who were facing such stress, fear and loss from the wildfires.”

Casimir adds there will be a volunteer appreciation dinner organized when it is deemed safe to do so.

“I also want to take this opportunity to say Kukwstsétsemc to Councillors Thomas Blank and Justin Gottfriedson for their ongoing dedication and leadership in the operation of the EOC [as well as] the staff who have supported them,” Casimir added.

“Council and I are just so proud of our community and how we show leadership in emergency situations.”

It is not clear if people who were camping on the Tk’emlúps pow wow grounds will still be allowed to stay there if they’re still on evacuation order. NL News has reached out for more information.

Last month, Tk’emlúps emergency operations manager, Dianne Kehler, told NL News she was not surprised to see how community members have stepped up to help out.

“When they’re required to step up and help out, they are here,” she said, on the NL Morning News. “It is just kind of a silent volunteer group that gets out there and they just roll up their sleeves and everyone seems to sink into what the positions are.”

“We have a really good manual in place. And so, just one person phones another person and next thing you know, we got our commercial kitchen opened up and more helpers coming in and we’re talking about not just band membership, we’re talking about the local community too.”