Skwla̓x te Secwe̓pemcu̓lecw says all of its 347 band members have been accounted for after the Bush Creek East fire tore through parts of the community last week.
In a statement, Kukpi7 James Tomma says the band formerly known as the Little Shuswap Lake Band, is devastated by the ongoing wildfires like the rest of the province.
“We will not make an official statement regarding our damages and losses until we have been able to assess things in person,” Tomma said. “That will occur in the coming days.”
“Until that happens, we will not be making any statements to the media.”
A evacuation order is in place for the band’s Quaaout 1, Chum Creek 2, Meadow Creek 3, and Scotch Creek 4 reserves. Its North Bay 5 reserve, near Tappen, remains on alert at this time.
Tomma also urged band members to “not believe” any posts on social media unless it comes chief and council.
“We are working diligently on a plan to help you if you have suffered any losses,” Tomma said, noting an informational Band meeting is being arranged. “We appreciate everyone ̓s concern for our well-being. Once we assess what help we need, we will reach out for your assistance.”
Sources to Radio NL also confirmed there were no injuries among non-band members who lease lots from the Little Shuswap Lake Band in the Little Shuswap Lake area.
It is not clear how many people live the roughly 150 such properties spread out along Schouten Road near the Quaaout Lodge and along Little Shuswap Lake Road past the Skwlax Wellness Centre, and how many of those are full-time residents in the area.
While it is also not clear how many properties across the Little Shuswap Lake Band land’s have been impacted, the Chevron Gas Station at the intersection of Little Shuswap Lake Road and the Squilax – Anglemont Road was among the properties destroyed.
Damage to the Chevron (former Race Trac Gas in the North Shuswap. (Photo via Kim MacGregor)
While Quaaout Lodge was destroyed by a fire two years ago, the popular Talking Rock Golf Course appears to have been mostly spared, though its not clear exactly how much – if any damage – it suffered.
“We are expecting that if the Quaaout Lodge and Talking Rock Golf Course survived that we will still have a period of recover before we reopen as emergency response agencies make the impacted areas safe for access,” a statement to NL Sports said.
The Neskonlith Indian Band has also issued two new evacuation alerts for IR #2 and IR #3 and amended one more for its IR #1 properties. IR #1 and IR #2 are on either side of the Trans Canada Highway, near Chase, while IR #3 near is near Salmon Arm.
“The Evacuation Alert [for IR #3] is due to smoke and not due to an active wildfire threat,” the BC Wildfire Service said Monday.
All other evacuation orders and alerts issued by the TNRD, CSRD, and the Adams Lake Indian Band on Friday and Saturday last week remain in effect.
