FAQs

Experiencing a disaster such as a wildfire can be particularly stressful and overwhelming. If you need to talk, call the BC Crisis Line / Mental Health Support call 310-6789 (no area code needed) or HealthLinkBC at 8-1-1.

The BC Division of the Canadian Mental Health Association also has significant resources for dealing with natural disaster stress at website cmha.bc.ca.

To start the cleanup process:

Step 1. Hire a licensed contractor to conduct a Hazardous Waste Materials survey of your property - a requirement for property owners and SLRD disposal site staff. 

A list of WorkSafeBC approved licensed contractors can be found at the bottom of the Asbestos Management page.

Step 2. Once the survey is conducted and report provided, send it to the SLRD at utilities@slrd.bc.ca

Funding is available, more information about the Hazardous Material Survey Reimbursement Program, including the reimbursement form.

For more information on clean up, view Debris and Waste Management section on this website.

Step 1: Prepare your property for cleanup.

Before starting your cleanup task, review the Environmental Management Act of BC to ensure your clean-up activities follow its provisions. Prepare your property for debris and waste material removal by emailing utilities@slrd.bc.ca with your Hazardous Materials Survey report at least ten days before debris removal.

For information related to this process, please refer to the Debris and Waste Management section on this Downton Lake Wildfire Recovery page.

Step 2: Rebuild. Visit the SLRD’s Building Department webpage for information on the building process, including links to apply for a Building Permit online using our CloudPermit application platform. 

Depending on how you choose to rebuild, Development Permits might apply to your project. For additional information and resources, visit the SLRD’s Development Application Forms and Guides webpage. 

For questions and assistance regarding:

For rebuilding and building permits, contact the Building Department:
Phone: (604) 894-6371 | Email: bldgofficial@slrd.bc.ca 

For applications related to riparian or wildfire development permit areas, contact the Planning Department:
Phone: (604) 894-6371 | Email: planning@slrd.bc.ca

The Gun Lake Rate Payers Association has coordinated with Cascade Environmental Resource Group to conduct water quality testing on Gun Lake.  Please visit their website (URL) for updates. As of October 2023, the SLRD has allocated $10,000 \to support the Gun Lake Ratepayers Association with this work.

Illegal dumping is the deliberate disposal of waste materials onto public or private land where no license or approval exists to accept such waste.

To report illegal dumping, please submit a: 

• Violation Report through RAPP, and
• a Bylaw Enforcement Witness Report to the SLRD.

Why is Illegal Dumping a problem in our community?

• Environmental damage: dumped materials can harm the local environment through damaging vegetation and leaching of hazardous materials into the soil and waterways.
• Hazards and risks: dumped waste can be dangerous to people and wildlife, particularly when it includes sharp objects, glass, asbestos and other hazardous materials
• Decreased property and community value: dump sites attract more illegal dumping and other criminal activities, and they are unattractive to the local community and property investors
• Cost: continuous clearing of illegally dumped waste creates significant costs and may lead to increased taxes and tipping fees.

Property owners bear the responsibility for the removal of all debris on their private property. Professional contractors are recommended to be hired as local disposal sites cannot currently take full tree disposals. Contractors will be able to assess your property and remove trees to an appropriate disposal site. Contractors may also be able to recommend timber sales.

The Gold Bridge Transfer Station at this time, depending on capacity, can accept 4 cubic meters (roughly a half tonne truck load) of burnt or unburnt stumps, branches, and shrubs. 

Please refer to the Gold Bridge Transfer Station page and also Debris and Waste Management section on this website for more information.

For those property owners who have insurance, contact your insurance provider as they may be able to cover some of the costs associated with the cleanup. 

For those underinsured or uninsured funding has been made available to support carrying out a Hazardous Material Survey. More information, visit Hazardous Material Survey Reimbursement Program, 

Reimbursements will come via mail as a cheque to eligible residents.

Burnt Vehicles/ATVs/snowmobiles:

• Step one is to contact the SLRD at utilities@slrd.bc.ca to discuss your specific automobile circumstance. Sending images and a description of the vehicle is not mandatory but it can become useful. 
• Depending on the location of the burnt vehicle you may need to conduct the Hazardous Waste Materials Survey with a Licensed Contractor prior to your vehicle disposal.
• The Gold Bridge Transfer Station at this time can accept burnt metal, however the SLRD will need to issue a declaration form prior to drop off.
• When approved for disposing, ensure the vehicle is free of dust and ash. Safely clean the vehicle, following more cleaning safety tips in the Re-entry guide.