Bittersweet return

[Dearth]

Good news for some of the residents of the CRD as about 4500 people have been cleared to go back to 100 mile house and surrounding communities but it will be a very bittersweet return home while it was confirmed that 41 homes were lost how many were damaged.

People going back will likely find smoke and ash filled homes and unusable fridges and freezers due to being without power and rotting food. Some people are going home to likely missing and dead pets cats, dogs, reptiles, birds and fish to name but a few and some of those homes will have a smell that will make them unlivable

I helped my mom and stepdad during the Barriere fires of 2003 (the forgotten fire because Kelowna burned the same year) and let me tell you their home survived but it was weeks of cleanup and it took a long time for the smells to dissipate enough not to cringe your nose at. Normality will be months away, the emotional toll will be immense and a loss of feeling safe and secure

This is what some residents of the CRD are going home to it is and will be bittersweet.