The remaining evacuation alerts and orders for the Wait Creek Fire near Ta Ta Creek have been lifted.
“We are incredibly grateful to the BC Wildfire crews on the ground, in equipment, in the air and coordinating behind the scenes who have worked tirelessly to ensure they get the upper hand on this fire so that residents can safely return home,” said RDEK Information Officer, Loree Duczek.
“We also recognize while there is great joy in being able to go home, it may take some time for affected residents, their friends and families to process the events of the past few days.”
The RDEK is opening a resiliency centre at the Wasa Community Hall from 12-4 p.m.
Some of the resources include a provincial disaster team representative to help residents navigate the emotional experience of being evacuated.
It will also have Red Cross clean-up kits and the Cranbrook Food Bank will have basic food for residents who were in the Evacuation Order area.
Two dumpsters will be available by the old Ta Ta Creek
gas station/post office boxes for residents needing to dispose of perishables that were left behind.
“I also want to acknowledge the incredible Emergency Support Services volunteers, the Salvation Army, Cranbrook Food Bank, all the businesses and other volunteers who’ve stepped up to support people in the region who’ve been impacted by this – and other – fires in our region this summer,” added Duczek.
The Wait Creek wildfire is still an active fire zone and residents should be cautious and respect crews and posted signage.
The highway has also fully reopened.
The only evacuation alert in the region is now the property at 4404 St. Mary Lake Road due to the Tower Creek Fire.
