Downton Lake 2023 Wildfire Recovery
Thank you for visiting the SLRD’s Downton Lake wildfire recovery website. This site was launched in late 2023 to provide a central location for recovery-related updates. As we enter the second year of recovery, the site will remain available for affected residents to access information, resources, and frequently asked questions.
The SLRD Board, CAO and recovery team would like to acknowledge both challenges faced as well as progress made by this community. Recognizing recovery is an ongoing journey, we remain committed to assisting you as best we are able throughout this process.
We encourage you to connect with the appropriate avenues for support as outlined on each information page, and you can still reach us directly at recovery@slrd.bc.ca. As collaboration with affected residents, government and agency partners continues, we will send important updates to our email newsletter subscribers, as always.
Latest Updates
Recovery Operations Summary: Director of Protective Services, Mark Phillips, and Jaya Bremer, outgoing Recovery Coordinator, presented a summary report of the 2023 wildfire recovery efforts, highlighting lessons learned and best practices for future recovery measures. As the largest recovery operation in SLRD history, the lessons learned, including challenges and successes, will strengthen SLRD recovery efforts of the future. Read the full report.
Virtual Community Recovery Town Hall: The Town Hall took place on Tuesday, October 8 from 4-5 p.m. Watch the full video replay of the meeting on the SLRD's YouTube channel.
July 2024 - Red Cross Support Available: The Canadian Red Cross announced additional recovery support in July 2024, to assist people impacted by the 2023 BC Wildfires. Support may include understanding insurance and community resources, financial assistance to access mental health services, as well as providing referrals and information to help people make decisions and inform their next steps. The Canadian Red Cross is also working with primary residence homeowners who have been unable to return to their home, to provide financial support for housing repair and reconstruction. More information can be found in this Red Cross document. We encourage you to reach out to them directly to learn more and apply, at BCFires2023@redcross.ca or 1-833-966-4225 (Monday - Friday 9 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. PT).
For more information visit:
Your Recovery Team
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Director of Protective Services / Recovery Manager
Squamish-Lillooet Regional District
Phone 604-698-6442 Email mphillips@slrd.bc.ca -
Phone 604-894-6371 x257 Email obutt@slrd.bc.ca
FAQs
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Mental Health Support
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Concrete
- Can property owners store concrete, either temporarily or permanently, on their property above ground, if it is outside of the Riparian Zone?
- Can concrete, once cleaned, be left as is in the Riparian Zone?
- Can concrete be buried on the property outside the Riparian Zone?
- Can clean concrete be used as retaining walls, paving stones or crushed for driveways, fill etc. outside of the Riparian Zone?
- Can clean concrete be stored on private property outside of the Riparian Zone?
- What types of waste need to be authorized under the Environmental Management Act (EMA)?
- If you let the SLRD know the location, are you are allowed to bury concrete?
- What is the outcome of the concrete removal assessment?
- Was there a Board resolution about concrete removal at the July Board meeting?
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Debris & Waste Management
- Are the dangerous trees along West Gun Lake Road being removed?
- Who is responsible for the removal of danger trees from my property?
- What can I do with ash debris?
- What can I do with stumps, branches, and shrubs (burnt or unburnt)?
- What can I do with my burnt vehicle?
- What do I do if I witness illegal dumping of wildfire debris?
- What are the steps I need to take to begin the clean up process on my property?
- Where can I get more information about debris and waste management?
- What is a roll-off bin?
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Riparian Area
- Is there an update from The Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship (WLRS)?
- Will there be reimbursements for residents that hired a QEP for riparian permits?
- Where can I get more information about riparian areas?
- What is the Riparian Recovery – 2023 Wildfire Rebuilding Direction?
- What if I have started a RAPR assessment already?
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Insurance & Financial Assistance
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Rebuilding & Permitting
- Is there a new process from BC Hydro regarding the replacement of pre-existing power poles that were lost?
- Can I use a shipping container on my property while reconstructing /for storage?
- If I can’t use a shipping container what can I use?
- Do I need a building permit if I am building a 10x10 shed with no electricity or plumbing?
- Can I build an outhouse on my property?
- If there was an outhouse that burned but the hole is still there, can the outhouse still be used?
- What toilet facilities do I require if I have workers on my property?
- What are the steps I need to take to begin the rebuilding process?
- Where can I get more information about rebuilding and permitting?
- Are owners allowed to build simple structures like they used to have or do these have to be built like “city homes”?
- Will the SLRD be limiting the amount of RVs on properties?
- Will the SLRD consider allowing RVs on private lands given the barriers many face to rebuilding?
- Can an RV remain on a property year-round as long as it is not occupied for 28 days in a row?
- Is everyone in the area going to be held to the same rules and standards concerning RV usage, not just the people impacted by wildfires?
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Water Quality Testing
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PWNHRA
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Land-Based Recovery
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Economic Recovery
