From the ashes, Fireweed Honey helping forge a path to recovery for Venables Valley

“If we had been forced to leave, that would have been the tragedy,” added Radha McAllister.

While cliches to many, two statements exemplify Venables Valley – home is not a building but a feeling in your heart, and community is the family you choose.

“I think if we lived in an area like this and didn’t have those close connections with our neighbours, community members and friends, I don’t know that we would be here and remain here. That is really the draw,” added McAllister.

Now two doors down, the McAllister family is back in Venables Valley, but with no insurance, they are still paying a mortgage on a home that no longer exists.

“It’s been quite the adjustment trying to run a farm, manage a homestead, work, take care of children – all of those different elements – and just try to reset and get back to our original baseline,” said McAllister.

Out of the ashes blossomed fireweed, helping craft a new path forward toward recovery for those in the Venables Valley – honey.

“There is actually a huge healing to the land taking place, as well,” said Greenberg. “That intense dump of carbon, very hot fire creates this fertilizer. We’ve seen flowers like we’ve never seen in the decade I’ve lived here. It’s literally like a blanket of yellow.”

With eyes toward expansion, Greenberg hopes to soon be able to not only support his family, but the community through honey uniquely tied to a terrifying memory.

“This going to help get us back to square one,” added Greenberg. “Losing the intense amount of equipment we lost in a blink of an eye, so that is basically 10 years worth of spending.”

by Michael Reeve

From the ashes, Fireweed Honey helping forge a path to recovery for Venables Valley

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