Chief Dan Wilson of the Okanagan Indian Band said his community was left looking like “a war zone” after the Bradley Creek wildfire roared through the region on Saturday.
Wilson said they are still assessing the situation, but they estimate about 30 homes have been lost in the community and BC Wildfire Service estimates that at least 200 homes and structures have been lost in the surrounding areas.
Wilson added that there was a flare-up in the evacuated area recently, and the fire department extinguished it, but this shows that the fire is still active.
“It’s just like a war zone,” he said.
“There are some structures that, I’ll be turning 67 in November and those structures were there all my life and to see them suddenly gone, it’s just devastating.
“I didn’t recognize my community with all the structures that were gone.”
The band held a community meeting on Tuesday night to update everyone about the situation.
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“We know that some of our renters were able to just get out with their lives; it happened so fast, and a lot left without their purses and wallets and ID, so when they got to these evacuation centres, they couldn’t register, so a lot of them, including elders, had to sleep in their vehicles,” Wilson said.
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He explained that residents south of Bradley Creek were evacuated to West Kelowna, while those in the northern part were evacuated to Vernon, so it has been challenging to spread information and check on everyone.
“As far as we know, everyone has been accounted for,” Wilson said, but many have lost irreplaceable items.
While B.C. Premier David Eby has not visited any of the affected wildfire zones, Wilson said Eby called him from his personal number on Tuesday night and he has heard from many politicians offering help and support.
Wilson said he would welcome Eby to come to the area and see the devastation for himself.
The Bradley Creek wildfire, burning west of Vernon, is still an estimated 2,852 hectares in size, but it is still burning out of control.
It has prompted four evacuation orders and three evacuation alerts.
Using the name Trutch represents your pathetic crusade of failure. Joseph Trutch had his entire legacy completely erased in BC. Not only were all of his policies regarding indigenous land rights abolished but they ended up changing the name of Trutch Street to Musquemview Street 🤣🤣
You remind me a lot of NAZl Dallas Brodie. You think you’re the voice of reason but you’re actually the voice of ignorance and racism
Doug Trutch aka Doug Brekfaust – You’re like a broken record buddy. On the internet everyday crying about the same thing and nobody’s listening. The only feedback you get is from me laughing hysterically at what a pathetic and predictable individual you are. Too funny 🤣🤣
And there you it have folks. Our resident FN representative Jay Voorhees bragging about how the FN in Lytton can take as long as they and charge as much as they want before allowing the victims of a forest fire to rebuild and move back home
If it’s not clear now I don’t know when it will be. Since DRIPA it’s been obvious that the FNs do not have the all of society and the common good in mind.
It’s all about money and them.
Thanks Voorhees at least you admit it.
Dave Williams – I’m sure you would. You’d probably vote for Trump to. That’s why here in BC we tell people like you to sit down and shut your mouth
Douglas Trutch – They get to take as long as they want to buddy. You don’t get to make that decision. In fact you don’t get to make any decisions when it comes to politics in BC and trust me there’s a reason for that. They wouldn’t allow someone with mental health issues to run our province. That’s why you’re on the internet 24/7 whining about FN people and the NDP. That’s all the power you’re allowed to have 🤣🤣
I think there are skulls all over Okanagan band lands. Time to excavate for arrow heads
Douglas Trutch should run for Member of parliament. I’d vote for him.
At Jay Voorhees. If you want to be taken seriously trying addressing the point.
Are you denying that the FIrst Nations in Lytton have/are taking years to do archaeological studies and charging home owners trying to rebuild tens of thousands of dollars?
Answer the question!
FYI you can search this up and fact check it. 😝
What’s the matter Doug? You desperate for money?
Douglas Trutch LOL aka Doug Brekfaust is using a different name to post his bitter hate filled comments towards FN people now. Too funny 🤣🤣
I’d like to reserve the right of the settlers to first go into this Rez community and do a mandatory 4 years archeological study on each home site before the FN can rebuild.
I also want them to pay me 30 or 40 thousands of dollars out of any funding they receive to do so.
Seems fair and equal. It’s what the FN did in Lytton.