B.C. government applies for federal funding to assist those who lost property due to wildfires

KAMLOOPS — The B.C. government made its plea to the federal government for financial assistance to help those who lost their homes during the wildfire season.

Emergency Management BC tells CFJC Today the province has made a request through the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements (DFAA) and awaits the federal government’s reply.

“Successful wildfire recovery is led by the communities impacted,” Senior Public Affairs Officer Aimée Harper says. “The province supports communities such as Lytton and the Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) in recovery by providing expertise, advice and support when requested by communities.”

The TNRD reported 36 structures lost due to the White Rock Lake wildfire in the Monte Lake and Paxton Valley areas. Kamloops-South Thompson MLA Todd Stone, who represents those residents and property owners, urges DFAA funding as soon as possible.

“If you’re sitting up in Monte Lake or Paxton Valley or other communities around the Southern Interior that were unfortunately hit hard with the wildfires… it’s Sept. 1, [they lost their] home many weeks ago,” Stone says. “There’s a clock ticking from the perspective of the people who have lost their homes and everything that they possess.”