Recovery underway
One week has passed since re-entry into the once-evacuated communities in North Shuswap, and the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) will be winding down activities and moving towards the recovery phase of the wildfire event. In this phase, we will facilitate the repair of affected communities; restore conditions to an acceptable level or better; and restore self-suffiency and increase resilience among those in the community.
Recovery is complex and can take years to complete, but it is also a collaborative effort on the part of a variety of community members that can build resiliency and the capacity to deal with future disaster events.
Be sure to visit Recovershuswap.ca regularly for up to date information about the wildfire recovery.
Resiliency Centre
No matter what your particular situation, the Resiliency Centre can help you assess your needs and direct you to supports and services to help you. Attend in person at the Fairfield Inn & Suites, located at 790-16 Street NE, Salmon Arm, or call the team at 250-833-3400. The Resiliency Centre is open from 9 AM to 4 PM, seven days a week.
Available services include Service BC, Service Canada, Interior Health, the Red Cross and other community-based organizations aiding in recovery efforts. Emergency Support Services remains available from 10 AM to 2 PM, seven days a week.
Holding Road Open
BC Hydro has completed works in the area of Holding Road in the North Shuswap. The road is now open for public use. Previously access was only available from 7 PM to 7 AM in the evening, to allow for BC Hydro Crews to safely complete the work to restore power service.
Community Outreach
Look for our EOC Information Team members at the Sorrento Farmer’s Market on Saturday, September 16 from 8 AM to Noon to share your experience about the wildfire and have your questions answered.
Trail Closures
The CSRD has closed:
- Mt. Baldy Trail in the South Shuswap
- Scotch Creek Hlina Trail and the trails behind Farrell’s Field in the North Shuswap.
Accessing Information
Keeping the community informed with information related to the Bush Creek Wildfire emergency and recovery is critical to move forward. Everyone is encouraged to play a part in seeking and sharing information specific to their individual needs. Key contacts include:
Update on Fire Behaviour
Size: 43,302 Hectares
Fire size updated September 13, 2023.
Although we are entering the fall season, nearby communities can still expect to see smoke within the perimeter over the coming weeks. This is common with large wildfires and will continue until significant rainfall or snowfall. If you see smoke coming from well within a fire’s perimeter and the area is surrounded by black, burned material, this is typically not a concern. However, smoke rising from green, unburned fuel or from outside a fire’s perimeter should be reported immediately.
NOTE: Information below has not been updated but remains relevant as recovery efforts continue.
Landfills and transfer stations open
All CSRD landfills and transfer stations are open for their regular hours. See the CSRD’s Garbage and Recycling page on their website, https://www.csrd.bc.ca/168/Garbage-Recycling
Appliance disposal locations
Label the appliance “CONTAMINATED” in large print. Transport the appliance to specified locations as outlined below:
- Skimikin Transfer Station (Open Friday to Thursday 10 AM to 4 PM) or the Salmon Arm Landfill (Open 7 Days a Week - 9 AM to 5 PM)
- Ross Creek Store, located at 6929 Squilax-Anglemont Road. There is also a bin placed in this location for residential garbage.
- Summer hours have been extended for the Scotch Creek Transfer Station. Hours are 8 AM to 2 PM, seven days per week until October 15. Ruined fridges and freezers can be dropped off at that site, located at 3508 Squilax-Anglemont Road, Scotch Creek.
If you need help moving your fridge or freezer, please call John Dyck at Christian Aid Ministries at 250-517-0075.
Safety Hazards
Now that evacuation orders have lifted and residents are returning to assess properties, please remember the fire zone remains extremely hazardous, including:
- Ash pits - holes in the ground filled with ash that may contain hot embers
- Danger trees - burned trees and roots that may fall without warning.
- Air quality - hazardous ash or smoke particles
The fire area may look unfamiliar, making it difficult to spot some of the hidden hazards. Do not enter burned structures, burned forest or areas with fencing or barricades indicating hazards until assessed by a professional.
Boil Water Advisories
Some boil water advisories still exist in affected areas. Water should be assumed to be non-drinkable, and should not be consumed until testing has been completed. Information on CSRD-managed water systems as well as other registered systems is available online at drinkingwaterforeveryone.ca.
Properties still on order
While evacuation orders have been lifted through the region, some individual properties with damage rendering the structure unsafe to enter remain on evacuation order. These properties are listed on the Shuswap Emergency Mapping Dashboard.
Donations/fundraisers
Call the CSRD: 250-833-3396. People running event-based fundraisers should use the Shuswap Tourism Events Calendar on their website shuswaptourism.ca to help with promotion.
ESS (located at the Fairfield Inn & Suites) is accepting gift cards to assist evacuees. Only gift cards will be accepted at this location. DO NOT bring other items to the Reception Centre. Call 250-833-3396 instead