In wake of devastating fire, Telegraph Creek reconstruction gets $250K boost

Ahefty donation from a gold mining company will help reconstruction efforts in fire-ravaged Telegraph Creek, B.C.

The president of PretiumResources presented a $250,000 cheque to members of the Tahltan Nation at a mineral exploration conference in Vancouver this week.

• Telegraph Creek reconstruction on schedule, gets fundraising boost

"It was an amazinggestureby acompanythat's working inTahltanTerritory and working closely with our government," said Chad Norman Day, president of the Tahltan Central Government.

Pretiumoperates theBrucejackunderground mine 65 kilometres north of Stewart, B.C. Day says the gold mine employs about 50 Tahltan people.

"We're really blessed to have some of those companies [operating in Tahltan Territory] step up in a big way," he said.

Crews have been cleaning out smoke-damaged homes in Telegraph Creek since the Alkali Lake wildfire was extinguished and a 102-day evacuation order was lifted in November.

The wildfiredestroyed more than 20 homes and dozens of other structures in and around the community including the daycare and a residence for nurses.

• Chief says Telegraph Creek, B.C. wildfire area looks like scene from war film

Donations reachclose to $500,000

RickMcLean, chief of theTahltanBand, said a 100-person work camp will be leaving town in the coming month. It will be replaced this spring by a smaller crew to repair houses that were damaged but are still salvageable.

In the meantime, people who lost their homes are living in temporary housing and about10 new mobile homes.

McLean says about $12 million has been spent so far to cleanup the community and restore essential services and infrastructure. This includes fixing the reserve's water system which was contaminated during the wildfire.

McLean said Pretium's$250,000 helps bring thetally of donations to about a half-million dollars.McLeanis pledging acommunity consultation to decide how the money can best be used. The community hasanursing station, school and storebut it lacks a daycare and building to house language and cultural programs.

While much work lies ahead, McLean says the community isgrateful for all the support its received from donorsand volunteers.

With files from Philippe Morin