By Chad Klassen

United Way report indicates residents displaced by 2017 wildfire still recovering

Feb 28, 2019 | 4:08 PM

KAMLOOPS — Eighteen months after wildfires devastated the Thompson-Cariboo region, the United Way, which was on the ground helping evacuees, has released its donor wildfire report. 

The report, titled “United for BC Wildfire Recovery” – outlines the United Way’s role in wildfire recovery, helping at the evacuation centre in Kamloops and aiding residents of Cache Creek when they first returned home. The United Way has continued efforts to help people over the last year and a half who have continually struggled since the Elephant Hill wildfire and other blazes broke out in July 2017.

“All of our efforts have really centred around the greatest need that we’ve seen and heard on the ground, which is mental wellness,” said executive director of the Thompson-Nicola-Cariboo United Way Danalee Baker. “So all of the efforts that we’ve done and the programs that we’ve engaged in in the area have all been around mental health.”

Baker says there are still people with the Ashcroft Indian Band and residents at the Boston Flats Trailer Park who are still without their home. The $200,000 the United Way received following the wildfire season of 2017, helping some who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder after being displaced.

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“The $200,000 we raised for United For BC Wildfires went to Canadian Mental Health Associations across the region to help reduce their waitlists for people in crisis,” said Baker. “In addition, Red Cross has been very generous with us. We’ve had two grants from them. One is a full-time team of wellness coordinators all throughout the region, making sure the gaps are being identified.”

Baker says Quesnel for the first timenow has an additional mental health clinician thanks to the wildfire donations.