On Friday August 18th, 2023, the massive Adams Lake/Bush Creek East wildfire ripped through the Shuswap and destroyed properties, communities and forests, including Lee Creek Heights.
Many residents moved to the beautiful Lee Creek 50 years ago. They helped each other create a bountiful, welcoming community with sustainable gardens, workshops, music, theatre, art and hand-crafted, loved homes. Anyone who visited would know the warmth and spirit of Lee Creek Heights, hosting many gatherings and parties. Most residents raised families and are now retired and living on low incomes. With grandchildren living there too, the Lee Creek community was about to celebrate its 50th anniversary.
The devastating fire has left them devastated, homeless, stressed, frustrated and sad… gathering strength to rebuild. Many members of the community don’t have fire insurance and will be rebuilding homes and workshops from scratch, as everything was lost.
The community is planning for the next incredibly daunting and dangerous stage of large-scale cleanup, involving excavators, falling trees, burning roots, and ash pits, hazards and toxins. Then the Lee Creek Community will look towards efforts to reimagine, rejuvenate, reforest and rebuild. Donations of any amount are greatly appreciated.
I don't think people outside really understand what has been lost here. These were much more than just 'houses' or even 'homes'. Many of these buildings were organic works of art hand crafted over the years by individuals. They did not come out of manuals or catalogues… these losses are more than financial, they are cultural, artistic losses for everyone.
- A. L. R.
Half of Upper Lee creek Heights is still green and some houses are still standing, but not our side. Ours was ravaged by the fire. We lost all our childhood homes, we lost what was once beautiful. The landscape has been changed forever; it's burnt, it's logged, it's unsafe and it's ugly. It's all ugly. There are no words that can describe what we are feeling.
- A. P.
My family moved to Lee Creek in 1973 and my mom started building her house from the ground up in 1986. She (and many other members of our community) doesn’t have fire insurance, and will be rebuilding from scratch as everything was lost... My mom’s house is unrecognizable, completely burnt to the ground. She lost all of her original artwork, years of carefully collected antiques, and countless costumes she designed and sewed herself. Most of her late husband David’s musical instruments and photos were also lost in the fire.
- M. L.
The entire community was self-founded by people from Canada and the United States all of whom wanted a life that could be lived by leaving the land in a better way than when they arrived the "back to the land" movement. With no modern equipment, they supported each other building their houses one board at a time. They used horses to pull logs from the forest and grew gardens to feed the community. Each stone, each square foot, holds a story of friendship, purpose, vision, and for many… identity.
Not a week before the evacuation order was issued a community celebration was meant to take place to honour the elders and the 50 years of community they had created. Due to the remote area and limited access, none of these community members had the security and or option of house insurance. For many, this life they had intentionally constructed and these homes were built with creativity, and artistry. For many, security and retirement. Most members no longer have the physical stamina, ability, or financial resources to rebuild their homes. It will be a long process to rebuild the community and rebuild systems that have been disrupted… It will be years for our community to rebuild but this place has an incredible spirit and energy that even a ruthless fire cannot quell.
- A. R.
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