North Shuswap residents affected by wildfire can begin to rebuild as initial geotechnical assessment results come in.

The Columbia Shuswap Regional District (CSRD) announced on Tuesday, Oct. 24 it is rescinding the temporary building moratorium placed on areas affected by the Bush Creek East wildfire, effective immediately.

On Sept. 14, 2023, the CSRD board unanimously agreed to issue the moratorium in response to the fire, which burned in mountains and affected slopes that drain into Shuswap and Adams lakes, 鈥渃reating the potential for increased geohazard risks on alluvial fans, steep creeks and rock slopes, reads a CSRD release.

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BGC Engineering Inc. has been working to get a better understanding of what risks are in the area, so the CSRD can inform residents and begin the process of rebuilding.

An initial report has been completed and the public can now read it on the under the Reports section.

The CSRD is now removing the temporary building moratorium as the report serves to offer preliminary support for land use and permit decision-making information during the recovery process, reads the release. The report indicates some new hazards for landowners and the CSRD to be aware of, which may affect the building permit process and necessitate possible additional property-specific geotechnical assessment requirements.

Residents wanting to build structures on their property are advised to contact the CSRD鈥檚 building staff early in the process.

The BGC Engineering report focused on risk to private property parcels within the CSRD boundary, reads the report, and did not specifically assess infrastructure or buildings outside, including those belonging to Skwl膩x te Secwepemc煤lew and Adams Lake bands, provincial parks, the the Thompson Nicola Regional District. Other assets that are non-structural or of cultural value were not specifically assessed either.

Geotechnical assessments of the entire Bush Creek East wildfire area are continuing, and additional information provide by the province will be factored into the CSRD鈥檚 development decisions.

For more information, contact the building department by email at buildingpermit@csrd.bc.ca.

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