Submitted
As the Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) and its residents move from response to recovery after a devastating wildfire season, the TNRD is taking a series of steps to help residents with that recovery process.
Most significantly, the TNRD has hired a recovery manager to coordinate efforts with property owners who suffered damage or total loss.
In total, more than 210 structures, including cabins, homes, and other buildings, were lost or substantially destroyed in the TNRD during the wildfire incidents over the summer. Twenty additional structures suffered minor damage.
After the wildfires had subsided and residents were allowed to return, the TNRD took immediate steps to help property owners quickly dispose of fire-damaged materials. This included temporarily waiving disposal fees for fridges/freezers and food; coordinating pickup of fridges/freezers; setting up temporary disposal locations for debris; and offering one-on-one assistance to landowners.
Now, the TNRD is looking to help landowners who were adversely affected by the disasters with the recovery process. Considerations that have been discussed by the Board include the possible reduction of or sourcing alternative sources for permit fees, the acceleration of application processing, potential new zoning for “dry cabins” and lobbying the provincial government for relief and Building Code changes.
The Board also supported the hiring of a recovery manager, Bob Finley. In the coming weeks, he will reach out individually to residents whose properties were affected by the recent wildfires.
His role will be to help guide them through the process of recovery from the wildfires and answer any questions they might have.
In the interim, property owners adversely affected by floods or wildfires can always contact the TNRD about any questions they might have about the rebuilding process. They can contact Bob Finley directly at 250.377.6296 or email bfinley@tnrd.ca.