November 2023

This E-newsletter is designed to provide updates on the recovery process to residents affected by the Bush Creek East Wildfire. It can be integrated directly with our website's sign-up function and delivered straight to your email inbox or by text link to your phone. Residents must sign up through the link above to receive the information directly. The newsletter will also be made available on the CSRD and Recovershuswap.ca websites.

We hope you find the information useful. Please email [email protected] with any comments or suggestions.

Program Governance

A governance structure has been developed to facilitate Recovery within the CSRD. Recovery will be a long process. It is important to ensure correct processes and communication flow are in place to create efficient, effective decision-making.

Multiple Steering Committee, Project Team, and Working Group meetings have taken place over the past weeks to confirm requirements and take action towards recovery goals. Working groups include representation from the CSRD, the community, outside agencies and experts in various areas of the recovery process. These efforts are focused on:

Wellness, Housing & Unmet Needs
Development Services
Environment & Debris Management

Critical Infrastructure
Economic Development
Indigenous Partnership Opportunities

A request for funding for an after-action review to identify lessons learned and opportunities for emergency management improvement has been submitted to the Province and is awaiting approval. Plans for the after-action review include an opportunity for residents to provide their input as part of the process.

Wellness, Housing & Unmet Needs

The CSRD's biggest post-wildfire priority has been to look after the needs of residents who lost their homes. The CSRD has been actively working to find supportive temporary housing options and extend emergency support services (ESS) for people in need.

The CSRD met with a local vendor for a potential central housing option for displaced families, and proposed this as a temporary housing option to the Province. The CSRD is awaiting a response from the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness to see if this proposal can move ahead. In the meantime, the CSRD's working group participants are continuing to work with provincial ministries, such as the Ministry of Social Development & Poverty Reduction and BC Housing, in assisting these individuals and families.

The North Shuswap Disaster Relief Society, United Way, Red Cross and Samaritan's Purse are also working to disseminate existing funds to people in need and to acquire additional donations and funds for supporting residents within the community.

Burned debris from the Bush Creek East Wildfire

Environmental & Debris Management

The fires created large volumes of debris in the affected areas. Testing of debris prior to disposal at the Salmon Arm Landfill is required based on provincial regulations. The Province is developing a guidance document with further information which will be provided to residents once available. The CSRD is reviewing options to support residents in meeting the testing requirements. Surveys of the Salmon Arm landfill are underway to confirm landfill capacity and determine requirements for management of all debris, such as potential alternative disposal locations.

A firefighter with Scotch Creek on his uniform.

Critical Infrastructure

The CSRD is looking at options for the redevelopment of the Scotch Creek Fire Hall. The hall was not only used for housing the fire trucks and equipment, but was a community hub for Scotch Creek. The CSRD is working with its insurance provider on plans for the design and construction of a new fire hall on the site.

Indigenous Partnership Opportunities

An initial meeting was held with Skwlax te Secwepemcu´l?ecw (Skwlax) to identify opportunities for working together on recovery efforts. The hope is to create partnerships that will reduce costs, increase efficiency and reduce duplication of efforts. The CSRD looks forward to future meetings and continued collaboration with the band.