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Most Telegraph Creek Residents Returning Home for Christmas

Tuesday, 18 December 2018 12:50

Telegraph Creek in 2009 (Photo courtesy of Telegraph Creek Townsite)

It has been 138 days since an evacuation order forced Telegraph Creek residents out of their communities following devastating wildfires.

Months after a devastating wildfire ripped through Telegraph Creek in Northwest British Columbia and forced an evacuation order for local residents, people are finally able to return home to their community for Christmas.

Tahltan Nation Emergency Operations Director Feddie Louie says there are just some final rearrangements for all homes in the area to be move-in ready.

"The community is ready for occupation. The last of the homes were signed off and finished today. Everyone is able to move back into Telegraph Creek as they get their furniture to their homes."

According to a recent press release, a total of 34 houses have since been cleaned for re-entry and construction of  modular homes built to house returning residents have also been completed.

Louie says everyone is helping each other out as community members move in.

"Construction workers are on the ground until the 19th but they're more in helping mode than they're in construction mode. They're just helping people move in furniture and get some firewood for people...We expect everyone to be back in their homes no later then December 21st because that's when Emergency Social Services end."

Other services up and running include the local clinic and the presence of community nurses, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, gas and basic essentials at the local store and the operation of the local school which will opening again in January.

Louie says emotions are mixed as people return home.

"Some are feeling pretty overwhelmed right now because going into your home just a few days before Christmas after you've been away for four months is probably pretty overwhelming. I think a lot of people are happy to go home"

It has been 138 days since the evacuation order since local residents were forced away from their homes in the community following a devastating wildfire.

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