There are gates still intact but, but no houses are on the other side. Chimneys stand on properties where houses once stood, with barbecues among piles of rubble.“There’s so many houses got destroyed here, I wonder how many are actually going to re-build because people will say, ‘Enough is enough. I’m done with this,'” Creighton said.
Thomas said she’s not one of them, adding she’s already thinking about re-building, despite the fire risks associated with living amidst the forest. “I see a future here still, ” Thomas stated. “We’re going to build. There’s still some beauty, you know. There’s still some land that’s green , and hopefully some trees that will stay.”According to the Emergency Operations Centre, there are still 99 properties on evacuation order within both the city and regional boundaries.