Community Update - September 21, 2023

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Applicable communities
All Areas

Curbside Fridge and Freezer Pick up - this weekend only.

This weekend, Sept. 23-24 only, residents in the Gun Lake and Tyaughton area can book curbside pick up for their damaged fridges and freezers. Please secure the fridge and freezer doors closed. These appliances do not need to be cleaned out. No appliances should be left outside overnight due to the wildlife attractant hazard. The service must be booked in advance. Book now by calling 604-894-6371 ext. 236 or emailing utilities@slrd.bc.ca.

Survey Monuments:

During the course of clean-up activity, please do not disturb the original location of legal survey monuments at property corners. These survey markers will become critical to reference property boundaries in the permitting and rebuilding effort.

Recovery Planning Update: 

The SLRD is actively engaged in recovery planning. A dedicated Recovery Unit Coordinator has been appointed to facilitate a transition from emergency response to recovery efforts. As we move forward, we'll carefully assess the outcomes of the plan and the progress of work that is integral to our recovery strategy.

Waste Management: 

A new waste management guide is now available: Downton Lake Wildfire Waste Disposal: A Resource Guide.

Stumps and Wood Waste: 

The Gold Bridge Transfer Station can receive small amounts of wood waste, but neither the transfer station nor the Lillooet landfill can receive a large amount of stumps or wood waste, please reach out to the SLRD for any inquiries: 604-894-6371 ext. 236 or utilities@slrd.bc.ca

The SLRD is currently investigating options to receive larger amounts of wood waste and will provide an update as soon as the information is available.

Road Closure:

The Ministry of Forests – Sea to Sky Natural Resource District has issued road closures on the Spetch Creek and Upper Lillooet FSRs. Please avoid these areas for your own safety and the safety of wildfire personnel.

For more information on the Spetch Creek wildfire, visit: https://wildfiresituation.nrs.gov.bc.ca/incidents?fireYear=2023&incidentNumber=V33029

For more information on the Mount Athelstan wildfire, visit: https://wildfiresituation.nrs.gov.bc.ca/incidents?fireYear=2023&incidentNumber=V31300

For more information on road closures, visit drivebc.ca or for information on FSR closures, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/natural-resource-use/resource-roads/local-road-safety-information/sea-to-sky-natural-resource-district-road-safety-information.

RESOURCES:

  • The SLRD has created a Post-Wildfire Resource Guide for those re-entering an area after a wildfire, we encourage you to thoroughly review this document before entering your property.
  • Visit www.DriveBC.ca and confirm that your intended route home is not obstructed by road closures.
  • Visit www.BCHydro.ca to confirm your hydro status before re-entry or give them a call at 1-800-224-9376.
  • If you are struggling with your mental health, there are tools and resources available, including free counseling. You can find information, and a list of resources here. 
  • Visit www.mintocomm.ca, contact service@mintocomm.ca, or call 250-256-1576 for any communications inquiries for the area.
  • For waste management, please visit the SLRD Recycling and Waste page for more information and updates.
  • The SLRD recommends testing water wells after a forest fire, even if your property wasn’t directly affected. If you have concerns about water quality, please contact BC Interior Health (250) 851-7300 or 1-866-847-4372. 
  • For help with land surveys, visit BC Land Title and Survey.
  • For more information, visit SLRD.bc.ca/eoc or call the SLRD Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) toll-free line 1-888-213-0780.
  • For a list of Community Update resources, click here.
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