By Greg Fry

TNRD hires wildfire recovery manager

Nov 8, 2017 | 8:58 AM

KAMLOOPS — With this summer’s devastating wildfire season finally in the rearview mirror, the Thompson-Nicola Regional District is taking steps to help residents with the recovery process.

The TNRD’s biggest step has been hiring a recovery manager to coordinate efforts with property owners who suffered damage or loss.

A total of 210 structures, including cabins, homes and other buildings, were lost or destroyed in the TNRD due to the wildfires. Twenty additional structures suffered minor damage.

The regional district has already helped property owners dispose of fire-damaged materials. That effort included temporarily waiving disposal fees for fridges/freezers and food, coordinating pickup of fridges/freezers, setting up temporary disposal locations for debris and offering one-on-one assistance to landowners.

Looking ahead, the TNRD is planning to help landowners through the recovery process with the possible reduction of, or sourcing alternative sources for, permit fees. It also hopes to accelerate application processing, create potential new zoning for “dry cabins” and lobby the provincial government for relief and building code changes.

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The board has also hired Bob Finley as recovery manager.

“In the coming weeks, he will reach out individually to residents whose properties were affected by the recent wildfires,” the TNRD says. “His role will be to help guide them through the process of recovery from the wildfires and answer any questions they might have.”

Residents can reach out to Finley by calling 250-377-6296 or by email at bfinley@tnrd.ca.