Telegraph Creek Re-entry: Nov 15 – Dec 20
“The Tahltan EOC has been working tirelessly to make a return to Telegraph Creek possible. A plan is now in place for evacuees to return to Telegraph Creek beginning November 15th and we hope to have all evacuees back home by December 20th. The specific return date will depend on when each home has been cleaned of smoke damage and refurbished.” Feddie Louie, Tahltan EOC Director, Recovery Manager
Evacuees will be contacted by their case workers over the next few days to confirm their re-entry date and time. There are no storage options currently available in TC. It will be important for evacuees to time their furniture deliveries with their move-in dates.
Evacuation Order Rescinded
The Telegraph Creek evacuation order has been in effect for 102 days. At 5 pm on November 15th the evacuation order was rescinded as there is no longer any health or safety issues present within the community. Homes are still not ready, but as they are cleaned case workers will be in contact with home-owners.
Check-points along Highway 51 have been removed and permits are no longer needed to access Telegraph Creek. Please drive according to winter conditions and be cautious of gravel trucks and construction equipment on the road.
Temporary Housing in Telegraph Creek
The tentative completion date for the new modular homes is November 29th.
The two unfinished houses will be ready no later than December 15th.
Services in Telegraph Creek
Only fuel (no food) will be sold at the store over the next few weeks. Food will be brought in once more individuals are living in the community full-time.
Health services will be available to community members, with the location and specific nature of these services released over the next few weeks.
We have RCMP working out of TC, but we have also retained T&M to provide house and community security while an increased number of people are working in the community. The EOC is prioritizing the safety of all community members during this transition, along with the safety of their homes and belongings.
We are in the process of getting fire wood for the community. This work should be done over the next week or two.
Emergency Social Services (ESS)
Community members who lost their homes or have been affected by the evacuation order will continue to receive ESS extensions until they are back in their homes or in temporary housing.
ESS extensions are available at:
- Living Waters Church in Dease Lake on Fridays (9 – 5)
- The Terrace Reception Centre within the Regional District Kitimat/Stikine Office on Wednesdays (1-3)
- Iskut Band Office on Thursdays (9 – 4)
In the face of this tragedy, remarkable leadership and collaboration has emerged, shining a light on the power of the Tahltan Nation when we all work together and hold each other up.
The Tahltan EOC would like to give a sincere thank you and round of applause to the long list of individuals who made the re-entry into Telegraph Creek possible. The work and energy required to respond to this type of emergency takes a toll on the mind, body and spirit and these sacrifices do not go un-noticed or unappreciated. A special thanks to all the crews on the ground who have been working around the clock to get people back home as quickly as possible.
The Tahltan EOC will remain open in Dease Lake, Monday – Friday (9 to 5) 250-771-5050. All other information and updates regarding community re-entry and recovery from the Tahltan EOC is being published on the Tahltan Band Council website on the Telegraph Creek Wildfire page (www.tahltan.ca/tcwildfires).