By Jill HaywardNorth Thompson Star/Jour-nal

It's been almost fi ve years since the Wildfi re of 2003 tore through the North Thompson Valley – chang-ing the futures of so many.

Economic stability was rocked to its core due to the loss of the Tolko Mill, the jobs it provided, and the families who were an inte-gral part of our communi-ties.

Some moved out, oth-ers moved in, a number of small businesses closed their doors, and a number have opened.

Time moves on – the land heals, and so do the people who reside here.

It's been a tough road for

many, some still fi nd it hard, but for the most part our val-ley, and the people who call it home, have proven we are made of sterner stuff than some may have thought.

We're still here – and we will be for hundreds of years to come.

The valley offers a life-style that is coveted by those looking for a safe haven – a slower pace, and an abun-dance of friendly, kind, and compassion- a t e p e o p l e who know how to get things

done in one of the best places to live in British Columbia.

Many believe that the fi ve year anniversary of the McLure Wildfi re should be duly noted – the fact that our communities have overcome this disaster, are stronger for it, and are moving into a new and promising future needs to be recognized.

Recognition also needs to be given to all those who fought the fi res, from val-ley fi re departments to those who travelled great distanc-es to stand in front of the

'dragon' to defy its v o -

racious advance.Recognition must also

be given to the numerous individuals from Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom, who sent their support. Many arrived in the valley to help with re-building property and lives – without them our road would have been much harder to travel.

Lastly, recognition needs to be given to the people who live in this valley. You are the ones who have succeed-ed where many would have

f a i l e d . You have j o i n e d toge the r

with ener-gy and determi-

nation to put our lives back together. You have

networked, problem solved, and held out your hands to each other. You have overcome the 'dragon' that was the 2003 McLure Wildfi re.

You can't burn our spirit – we're here to stay.

&

We’re still here,and growing.

Wildfi re Monument UnveilingWildfi re Monument Unveiling Firemen's Reunion Firemen's Reunion

2003 - 2008

Five years and we're still here

2 FIVE YEARS LATER, Monday, July 21, 2008 North Thompson Star/Journal

THE THE MONUMENT MONUMENT

The ‘Wildfi re Dragon’ is sculpted from a 250 year old fi r log, approx. 48” in diameter and 12’ long, that was The ‘Wildfi re Dragon’ is sculpted from a 250 year old fi r log, approx. 48” in diameter and 12’ long, that was purchase from the coast. It was kiln dried in Lumby before it was transported to the artist, Michael Morris, in purchase from the coast. It was kiln dried in Lumby before it was transported to the artist, Michael Morris, in

Barriere. The second piece, a fi refi ghter, was sculpted from a 350 year old fi r log, ap-Barriere. The second piece, a fi refi ghter, was sculpted from a 350 year old fi r log, ap-prox. 26” x 9’, that was salvaged from Seymour Arm, an area that also suffered a wild-prox. 26” x 9’, that was salvaged from Seymour Arm, an area that also suffered a wild-fi re in 2003. Once the logs were measured and squared off they were placed on a plat-fi re in 2003. Once the logs were measured and squared off they were placed on a plat-form specially constructed for them so the artist could work. A structure was then built form specially constructed for them so the artist could work. A structure was then built around the logs to protect both the logs and the carver from the weather during the long around the logs to protect both the logs and the carver from the weather during the long months of transformation. Temperature was controlled to ease the rate at which the months of transformation. Temperature was controlled to ease the rate at which the wood dried. Starting with a small chain saw to rough out the intended shapes needed to wood dried. Starting with a small chain saw to rough out the intended shapes needed to start the carving process, the artist worked with many different power and hand tools, start the carving process, the artist worked with many different power and hand tools, the smallest a knife to work on the dragon scales. the smallest a knife to work on the dragon scales. The process took approximately six months.The process took approximately six months.

COUNTRY STORE

ANTIQUESOpen Daily • 9am - 5pmStop in at Our Ice-Cream Stand!The folks at Country Store Antiques congratu-late the McLure Wildfi re Monument Society for their efforts in creating a place of beauty and in telling the story of the generosity and compassion of groups and individuals who

aided our community.Thank you to all the donors of material, time

and resources (and to the sponsors advertising in the interpretive kiosk).

We hope you will share our pride in their achievement and enjoy the park.

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Hours: 9AM - 5PM DailyClosed Sundays

Bag Lady Enterprises

2003 - 2008Honouring our renewal

Depot

Thompson Nicola Regional DistrictDirector, Area “O”

Bonnie J. Cruzelle Myram

Moving forwardinto our future

North Thompson Star/Journal FIVE YEARS LATER, Monday, July 21, 2008 3

WHAT WHAT HAPPENED?HAPPENED?

The McLure fi re caused the devastating loss or The McLure fi re caused the devastating loss or damage of 72 homes and 9 businesses. damage of 72 homes and 9 businesses. Due to this fi re, 3,800 people were evacuated Due to this fi re, 3,800 people were evacuated (880 of these people were also evacuated for a second time) (880 of these people were also evacuated for a second time) from the communities of McLure, Barriere and Exlou and Louis Creek. from the communities of McLure, Barriere and Exlou and Louis Creek. The 2003 fi re reached a fi nal size The 2003 fi re reached a fi nal size of 26,420 hectares.of 26,420 hectares.

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Helping each other.

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Looking forward to our next 59 years!

4 FIVE YEARS LATER, Monday, July 21, 2008 North Thompson Star/Journal

Kevin Krueger, MLAKAMLOOPS - NORTH THOMPSON

9 - 111 Oriole RoadKamloops, BC, V2C 4N6

Toll Free • 1-888-299-0805314-6031 for calls from Darfi eld to Kamloops

Joining together

for the future.

Fire inspires 'Hope beyond the smoke'by Elli KohnertNorth Thompson Star/Journal

Five years have passed since the McClure Wildfire has changed the landscape and the lives of people in a large area of the Lower North Thompson valley. Wayne Broomfield, a gifted local Barriere artist, has been asked to paint a picture that portrays the spirit of the 2003 wildfires to be exhibited at the dedication of the Wildfire Memorial Site on July 26. He said yes, although there was not much time to find the right inspiration and to complete it in time for the event. The first small painting was not what he had envisioned but then Wayne looked at a picture of a water bomber spray-ing water over a burnt for-est and that was the nudge he needed for his painting to take shape.

Wayne does not usu-ally get excited about his work in an emotional way but this painting was different he said “it had a real snap to it.” This time his work was deeply inspired and had a power-ful force to it that at one point would not let him sleep at night; he had to get up and keep working until he had completed it. The charred trees on the ground were first done in modeling compound first before painting to pro-vide texture. He painted the sky entirely with his thumb to achieve trans-parency of the billowing smoke, leaving a small patch of blue sky showing through it. The dramatic focus of the painting is the water bomber spray-ing water over the black-ened trees, but the most compelling focal point is the small patch of blue sky; that has inspired the painting’s title ‘Hope

Beyond The Smoke.’

Wayne grew up in Quebec and was only eight years old when he became interested in art. Over the years he studied graphic art, and worked in sev-eral design studios. He spend years in many different lo-cations, and followed his artists career on various path but says “I have come full circle and have returned to my first love, painting the beautiful Canadian landscape ‘En Plein Aire’ which I realize has always

been my source of artistic inspiration.” Now Wayne says he is a Canadian art-ist living in Barriere; for how long he may remain here depends on when an-other Canadian province

may present new inspira-tion for him.

Wayne says “to be able to sit amongst the majes-tic Canadian Rockies or in some quiet meadow and capture the handiwork of

creation so that others may enjoy it as well is truly a high calling.” In his paint-ing ‘Hope Beyond The Smoke’ he has been able to express a sense of natures fury,

human resilience and a deeply rooted sense of life’s enduring spirit even in the depth of despair.

WHO CAME TO FIGHT?The McLure and Barriere Volunteer Fire Departments, along with the Ministry of For-ests initially fought the fi re. They were then supported by other valley fi re departments. Due to the voracity of the fl ames and the speed of growth soon numerous fi re depart-ments from throughout BC were on site to help. There was water bomber, helicopter, and spotter plane support from numerous companies. People and heavy machinery arrived constantly to lend assistance.They were followed by the Army and Princess Patricia Guard who set up camp at the Barriere Fair Grounds. From the beginning a large number of civilian volunteers fought the battle as well – helping to save numerous properties and homes.The McLure Wildfi re Monument Society wishes to recognize the effort of all these individuals in their combined fi ght to save the North Thompson Valley from total de-struction.

Barriere BCBarriere BCfiremen’s firemen’s reunionreunionjuly 26 • 2008july 26 • 2008

Barriere Curling Rink • Barriere BCBarriere Curling Rink • Barriere BC

2008 marks the fi ve year anniversary of the 2003 McLure Wildfi re which was fought by fi re departments, forestry, and the Canadian Military.

Forty-six fi re departments with well over 400 fi re fi ghters, and 49 pieces of equipment attended.Air support included nine bird dogs, four water bombers, 24 air tankers, and 12 helicopters.

Barriere would like to invite everyone who participated in the fighting of the 2003 fire, back to Barriere to see how we have rebuilt and to enjoy a night of Dinner and Dance.

Also July 26 will feature the unveiling of the Louis Creek Monument Dragon and a day fi lled with music, art and events. Unveiling will be at the Louis Creek Monument site 2km south of Barriere, 10:30 - 4pm.

dinner at 6pm

& dance to

follow

Info & Tickets: District of Barriere offi ce 250-672-9751 or email: inquiry@district ofbarriere.com

Thompson Valley PlayersBARRIERE

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