B.C. residents tour wildfire razing in area that has 'changed dramatically:' district

Some residents of one of the regions most devastated by wildfires in British Columbia will be touring the burned-out site today.

The Columbia Shuswap Regional District says in a statement that "some areas of the community have changed dramatically" after the Bush Creek East wildfire swept through, destroying or damaging as many as 200 homes.

Members of the public should avoid directly contacting their local fire base for highway information, as this disrupts fire operations and impedes wildfire staff’s ability to respond to both ongoing and emerging incidents.

— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) September 5, 2023

It says the district is conducting the tour to give a clear picture of the damage and hazards in that area to help residents prepare for their return.

The media will get a similar tour a few hours after residents have looked over their homes.

After weeks of evacuation orders and alerts because of the wildfire, the district has outlined a plan for a staged re-entry process starting today.

Derek Sutherland, the director of the district’s emergency operations centre, says the fire zone is still dangerous because of the significant damage and no one should enter burned buildings or forests, while water in the area should not be consumed.