Residents Advised of Post-fire Hazards to Their Properties
By Jo Anne Malpass
Columbia Shuswap Regional District (CSRD) has issued 1,136 letters to property owners advising them that their property falls within a geotechnical hazard area as identified in a recent report conducted by BGC Engineering Inc. “As your property is situated in an area that is susceptible to steep creek hazards (which include debris flow and debris flood), rockfall, earth and debris landslide, washout of culverts or bank erosion, there are potential risks associated with your property.”
The decision to disclose this information was made by Derek Sutherland, CSRD Acting General Manager, Community and Protective Services, disclosing information “that relates to you in compliance with the requirements of section 25 of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act which requires a public body to disclose, without delay information:
(a) about a risk of significant harm to the environment or to the health or safety of the public or a group of people, or
(b) the disclosure of which is, for any other reason, clearly in the public interest.”
“On October 23, 2023, BGC Engineering Inc. released a Post-Wildfire Geohazard Assessment to the CSRD. This assessment covers the areas of the North Shuswap, Adams Lake and Sorrento to better understand the risks posed by wildfire-related geohazards to residents in the area and those seeking to rebuild.
Wildfires, especially those of the size and scale of the Bush Creek East Wildfire, change the soil, vegetation, watercourses and other natural features of the area. This can significantly increase the risk of landslides, flooding, rockfall and erosion.
The assessment conducted by BGC Engineering Inc. is intended to help reduce the risk of damage or injury to your property and its occupants, as well as to protect the public interest and the environment. The report is not intended to replace a detailed post-wildfire assessment.”
Tracy Hughes, CSRD Communications Coordinator explained “the letters are to inform property owners of potential hazards for their property. Depending on the level of risk indicated in the report, property owners may need to get more detailed geotechnical assessments done prior to rebuilding.”
Areas with very high Post-wildfire Hazard Likelihood within the CSRD jurisdiction include the Woolfort Point area at Adams Lake, North Shuswap - Indigo Bay area in Lee Creek, areas of Meadow Creek Road, a section between Scotch Creek and Celista, Deodar Creek area west of Evans Road, Celistown Creek, between Evans Road and Garland Road, and on the South Shuswap - Hwy 1 between Little River Bridge and Cruikshank Point and between Elson and Sorrento. Many areas adjoining these were listed as high hazard likelihood. The BCG report did not include any lands under First Nations jurisdiction, but high hazard ratings were noted at Scotch Creek 4 North, Quaaout 1, and Chum Creek 2.
The initial report can be found on the Stay Connected tab, Emergency Management Reports at www.csrd.bc.ca or click here: https://www.csrd.bc.ca/Archive.aspx?AMID=46
Should you have any questions about the disclosure of this information, please contact Derek and dsutherland@csrd.bc.ca 250-833-5945.
