Venables Valley residents who lost properties to wildfire ineligible to receive Disaster Financial Assistance

KAMLOOPS — The Thompson-Nicola Regional District’s (TNRD) request for Disaster Financial Assistance for residents in Venables Valley impacted by the Shetland Creek wildfire will not be approved.

In a letter to Chair Barbara Roden published in the TNRD Board of Director’s regular meeting for Thursday (Oct. 3), B.C.’s Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness Bowinn Ma writes that DFA is a legislated program intended to cover losses caused by disasters that are not insurable, such as floods. Ma wrote the letter on Sept. 11 prior to writ dropping ahead of the B.C. general election.

“Wildfire insurance is available for purchase which means that wildfire impacts to private residences cannot be covered through DFA,” Ma writes. “[The Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC)] has confirmed that fire risk is the basis for property insurance and that living in a rural or remote area will not preclude someone from getting coverage. That said, I heard from residents the significant challenges they faced in obtaining insurance and believe it would be important for the IBC to learn more about their experiences.”

Ma encourages Venables Valley residents and others impacted by wildfire to explore assistance from local programs designed specifically to support disaster recovery and non-profit organizations.

My understanding is that TNRD staff met with representatives from the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness on Friday, September 6th, 2024, to discuss impacts to residents, identify how the IDCBC can assist, and determine a path forward.

“My understanding is that TNRD staff met with representatives from the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness on [Sept. 6], to discuss impacts to residents, identify how the [Integrated Disaster Council of British Columbia (IDCBC)] can assist, and determine a path forward,” Ma writes.

The Shetland Creek wildfire ignited in late July and grew to more than 27,000 hectares in size. It destroyed six homes and multiple out-buildings in Venables Valley.

The TNRD Board meeting takes place at 1:30 p.m. Thursday.