Pressy Lake, B.C. couple back home nearly 1 year after wildfire
'It means we're going to recover, and that's really something,' says resident whose home burned last year
A couple from a tiny community in the B.C. Interior can finally rest in their own home nearly a year after a devastating wildfire swept through their region destroying half the homes in the community.
Cathy and Bob Robinson from Pressy Lake, roughly 180 kilometres north of Kamloops, spoke to Radio West about what it was like to be residents of one of the 33 homes that burned in the Elephant Hill wildfire last summer.
After the wildfire, they waited another 10 months for a new home.
'It was very traumatic'
The Robinsons had used their Pressy Lake property as a recreational camping spot for 10 years. Then three years ago, they added a modular home to the property and moved in.
But their new beginning was cut short when the modular home was destroyed by flames last August.
"It was very traumatic to have everything burned to the ground like that," said Cathy Robinson.
"It's just those ashes and the twisted metal that's all left there anymore...I pulled out a few pieces that I have kept."
Since then, the Robinsons have stayed at another property they own in Mission, B.C., where their son lives.
The last 10 months have been difficult, Cathy Robinson said
"We've been struggling with trying to deal with the insurance and building variances. We are getting there, we are all getting there, but it's been tough."
Symbol to community
On Monday, the Robinsons new modular home rolled into town on a trailer truck and the community celebrated.
"I didn't realize that it was going to be such a symbol to our whole community… people brought potato salad and chicken... I had people messaging me telling me they were crying watching it," Cathy Robinson said.
She said the arrival of the new home marked a new beginning for the community.
"I think it's because it means we're going to recover, and that's really something."
However, Bob Robinson noted that not all residents are celebrating. One lot is up for sale, he said.
It's been just too hard on some people."
Silver lining
Last fall, a Freedom of Information request revealed that days before the fire approached Pressy Lake, fire officials had assessed structures in and around the town and opted not to set up protection.
Cathy Robinson said the news added to the difficulty in dealing with their loss, but she believes there is a silver lining.
"I think we're stronger as a community. We've really pulled together. We got each other's backs, but this has been really super hard."