The rebuild is still ongoing for people in the Ashcroft, Cache Creek and Clinton areas, two years after the massive Elephant Hill wildfire.

That’s according to Fraser Nicola MLA Jackie Tegart, who says farmers, ranchers and even tourism is taking a hit in the affected communities.

“As soon as you hear that there is smoke seen somewhere, you go ‘not again,'” she said.

“You know many of us talk about how can we have anything left to burn, but we’re very sensitive, we’re very strong and you know communities have come together and we will survive this. But people need to be sensitive that there’s lots of after effects after the fires are put out.”

She says putting out a fire is one thing, but some people are still waiting to rebuild to pre-2017 days.

“I think it’s an illusion if we think that once the fire is out, everything is fine,” Tegart added.

“What we are seeing is people who step out of their house every morning, and no birds, no wildlife, their fields are burnt, and they saved their house. And I had someone say to me, ‘it would have been easier to replace my house.'”

Tegart says many people don’t know what this fire season will look like, but they’re cautiously optimistic it won’t be as bad as the past two.

“We’re hearing from small businesses that 2017 was devastating to them and 2018 was a fire season also,” she said. “When people see smoke they don’t travel into our area, and so a lot of our businesses are suffering. People are very sensitive about fire protection.”

Tegart added she’s been pushing for the replacement of the Loon Lake Fire Hall, which was destroyed in the Elephant Hill wildfire.