{
  "id": 9558727,
  "title": "‘God cleaned the slate’: Ashes pave the road to recovery after B.C. wildfires",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/god-cleaned-the-slate-ashes-pave-the-road-to-recovery-after-b-c-9558727",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-24T13:30:12.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Global News",
    "slug": "global-news",
    "url": "https://globalnews.ca/news/12071400/bc-wildfire-recovery/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ash-covered streets and debris-strewn landscapes mark the small community of Faulder, outside Summerland, B.C., as Joel Patan and his family grapple with the aftermath of the Bald Range wildfire. A seemingly endless stream of embers and ash still lingers, a stark reminder of the destruction wrought by the fire that tore through the once-thriving town on Aug. 7. \"It's just gut-wrenching,\" Patan said, his voice heavy with emotion. \"My life is ashes now.\"\n\nFaulder, once home to more than 80 homes, now stands in ruins, with most structures reduced to smoldering debris. The wildfire forced thousands to evacuate from nearby Okanagan communities, with an 80-year-old woman succumbing to the ordeal while trying to flee. Patan's family had moved onto their dream property only months prior, and the loss is all the more devastating. \"Running from a fire, grabbing everything you have, like I don't think people understand. When we talk about 'we ran from a fire,' we ran,\" Patan said.\n\nThe wildfire season in B.C. has burned far less area than usual, but it has been one of the most devastating on record for property destruction. More than 500 homes or other structures were destroyed or damaged, including 110 in Faulder and Meadow Valley, and 40 in Summerland. The Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness acknowledges that recovery looks different for each community and is led by local governments and First Nations, supported by the province, federal partners, non-government organizations, businesses, and community members.\n\nFaulder remains restricted to residents with permits, and a presence of private security guards deters looting. The cleanup of damaged properties also requires consideration of potential hazards, such as silica dust, asbestos, and other contaminants. Patan's home is now little more than a foundation, with burnt shells of vehicles scattered along the Princeton-Summerland Road leading to the hills above the valley.\n\nDespite the grief and loss, Patan remains optimistic, drawing strength from his childhood trait of resilience. \"My Mom and Dad would tell you, when I had a bad day, I would wake up the next day like it never happened,\" he said. \"We'll build a house that is good for wildfire interface, good for our family, still the same four bedrooms, three baths, things that we may have not liked about our house, we'll repair, we may fix, but again, we have to see within the confines of our insurance, but whatever we can do to get back what we had, and then it's just a new beginning, and we just move forward.\"",
  "summary": "Joel Patan says his \"life is ashes\" now, as he sifts the ruins of his home that was incinerated last month, along with most structures in the small community of Faulder.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "‘God cleaned the slate’: Ashes pave the road to recovery after B.C. wildfires",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/god-cleaned-the-slate-ashes-pave-the-road-to-recovery-after-b-c",
        "published": "2026-09-24T08:00:20.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Global News",
        "title": "‘God cleaned the slate’: Ashes pave the road to recovery after B.C. wildfires",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/god-cleaned-the-slate-ashes-pave-the-road-to-recovery-after-b-c-9560962",
        "published": "2026-09-24T13:30:12.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}