Denare Beach residents have mixed reactions on gov’t wildfire funding

While clean-up efforts are just beginning on Denare Beach, the village’s mayor said any dollar it receives helps.

“We appreciate everything we get,” said Carl Lentowicz. “But a lot of people have lost everything.”

The provincial government is committing $20 million to help communities with wildfire recovery efforts.

The funding will help with clean-up, environmental testing, landfill expansions and project management to assist with local recovery efforts.

“It’s a big monster,” Cyndi Pedwell said about the fire that swallowed her home on Denare Beach. (Cyndi Pedwell/ Submitted)

The money will be distributed to communities that experienced losses in the fires and will only apply to those places that burned during the provincial State of Emergency.

Lentowicz said he does not know how much money Denare Beach would be receiving at this point.

“(It) sounds like a lot of money, but outside of our communities, there’s probably more house destruction,” he said.

The Wolf fire levelled over 200 homes when flames ran through the village. Lentowicz said there are different rules it needs to follow to remove scorched debris safely.

“The impact and the damage … the way it’s all left is very mind-boggling,” he said. “It’s something you’ve never seen.”

The cash will not replace any business or personal insurance.

Some residents worry cash will run out quick

Cyndi Pedwell was just one of many homeowners with burnt debris covering her yard on Denare Beach.

She watched her home burn down through her doorbell camera as the Wolf fire’s fast-moving flames tore through her community.

Pedwell said she believes whatever cash the community receives will run out quickly because the damage is so severe.

Cyndi Pedwell’s home burned to the ground after fast-moving fires moved into Denare Beach. (With photos from Cyndi Pedwell)

“$20 million doesn’t go far,” she said.

She said the dump was running out of room before the fires, and it will likely need to be expanded now.

“I don’t think it’s going to go that far because everything costs a lot to do,” Pedwell said.

Linda Lowe’s yard has three vehicles, two trailers, and a boat waiting to be shipped off to the dump after her home burned.

She is still waiting for the government to conduct an environmental assessment on her lot before the cleanup can begin.

“(It’s) complete ash with all kinds of metal and carcinogens lying around that have to be cleaned up before anyone can really go on their lot and start measuring out to rebuild,” Lowe said.

She is hoping for more information on how the money will be divvied up.

— with files from Marija Robinson