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Telegraph Creek Update

Tuesday, 11 September 2018 11:47

The road connecting Dease Lake and Telegraph Creek (highlighted in blue)

Tahltan First Nation Chief Rick Mclean says he hopes Telegraph Creek evacuees can return to their community in later October.

Highway 51 is still closed in both directions between Telegraph Creek and Dease Lake due to wildfire damage caused by the Alkali Lake Wildfire.

The wildfire ignited around a month ago, causing 300 residents from the small community and First Nation to relocate.

56 structures have been lost, including at least 27 residential structures.

Tahltan First Nation Chief Rick Mclean says he hopes evacuees from Whitehorse, Watson Lake, Terrace and Prince George and elsewhere can return to the community by late October. Most of the evacuees are currently staying in Dease lake.

Chief Mclean recently met with officials last Friday to discuss the reopening of the road.

Corrina Uell is a Tahltan First nation citizen from Telegraph Creek and she has been helping coordinate donations for evacuees. She recently spoke with Chon News and gave us an update regarding the situation in the adjacent community of Dease Lake, where the majority of evacuees are reportedly staying.

"I just spoke with (officials) in Dease Lake a couple of days ago, and they had notified me that they're opening up some houses in Dease Lake for some families to move back back into... (they're) also setting up some ATCO trailers or some camp units so that single people can move into those to be closer to their community."

She notes kitchen appliances, dishes, knives, pots and winter gear can be also donated to help house the evacuees there.

The Champagne and Aishihik office on Jarvis Street in Whitehorse have opened up room for people who want to drop off donations.

Since then, the B.C. Wildfire Service has lowered the fire situation in the Telegraph Creek area to a level one, or very low danger.

Drive BC will have it's next update regarding the situation at 9 am on Wednesday, September 12.

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