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Two years after it was reduced to ash, shovels dug into north Shuswap soil at what will be the site of the new Scotch Creek Fire Hall.
In August 2023, when much of B.C.’s Interior was ablaze during a historically bad wildfire season, the Bush Creek East wildfire engulfed the Scotch Creek Fire Hall, along with 175 other buildings in the region.
Two years later, construction officially began for a new fire hall on Nov. 19 at a groundbreaking ceremony.
Derek Sutherland, the Columbia Shuswap Regional District’s general manager of community and protective services, remembers how when fire from the south blew into the Scotch Creek region it spread quickly, creating a “fire tornado” on the weekend of Aug. 19, 2023.
“We described it, at the groundbreaking, as a bit of a phoenix from the ashes,” Sutherland said.
Late at night, when all available firefighters in the region were working to protect their community, the fire hall – containing equipment, gear, and personal effects – ignited.
One truck was saved and parked on the beach — but all else was lost when the fast-moving flames created an unsafe environment, forcing firefighters to retreat and find shelter.
“We had to drive through the flames to get our crews out and to safety,” said Sean Coubrough, regional fire chief with the Columbia Shuswap Regional District.
That same night, several local firefighters lost their homes and spent the following nights sleeping on cots in the neighbouring Celista Volunteer Fire Department in order to keep working.
“It’s unbelievable to have lost everything and then to come back to work the next day. It’s incredible,” Coubrough said.
Coubrough said the last few years have been difficult time for the Scotch Creek team, especially since they have been operating out of rented warehouse space.
“They defended what could be defended. They saved what could be saved. But it’s very difficult when you’re a firefighter to see places that you’re there to defend, being lost to fire.”
For the last two years, the Scotch Creek Fire Department has been operating out of a rented, private storage facility.
Coubrough said this has impacted response time and training.
Sutherland said the new fire hall represents rebuilding, resilience and strength and will be constructed of steel and metal, in order to be completely fire-resistant.
It will feature five bays, and a large community hall space that will double as the firefighter’s training room.
The new Scotch Creek/Lee Creek Fire Hall will be located at 1435 Beatty Rd. in Scotch Creek, which Sutherland said is a more convenient and accessible area compared to the previous location.
Construction is expected to be completed in August 2026.
