A new beginning: First Nation ravaged by B.C. wildfire unveils new subdivision [Video]

Members of a First Nations community in southern British Columbia are marking a milestone as they work to rebuild from one of the province’s most devastating wildfires.

The Skwlāx te Secwepemcúl̓ecw were one of several communities near Chase and Shuswap Lake devastated by the Bush Creek East fire in August 2023, which destroyed hundreds of homes.

“Everything was just roaring, explosions, embers falling and me and my brothers, we looked at each other and said this might be it,” Ku̓kpi7 (Chief) James Tomma recalled Wednesday of his narrow escape from the fire.

“We turned around and looked and the whole countryside was going up. I can’t describe how I felt at that time.”

Thirty-four of those homes, along with a band office, cemetery and businesses were in the Skwlāx community. Incredibly, no lives were lost.

Now, eight months later, the community has unveiled the first of four planned subdivisions to replace those homes.

The community held …