Wildfire Devastates Denare Beach: Community Rebuilds After Loss
A devastating wildfire in June swept through Denare Beach, a village in northeast Saskatchewan near the Manitoba boundary, leaving many residents, including Brittany Holmgren, displaced and struggling to rebuild their lives. The fire destroyed homes and businesses, impacting the tight-knit community of 700 residents.
Personal Impact and Displacement
Brittany Holmgren, a 33-year-old mother who has lived in Denare Beach her entire life, lost her home and workplace in the fire. "My house and my job are gone," she said. She and her two daughters have moved in with her mother in Flin Flon, Manitoba, while her dogs remain in a camper in Denare Beach. The fire also scorched the home of her daughters' father.
Many other residents are facing similar challenges, struggling to find new housing in the wake of the disaster. Jennifer Hysert, who also lost her home and business, is currently living in a camper inside a warehouse in Flin Flon with her family.
Challenges in Finding New Housing
Finding affordable housing in and around Denare Beach has become a significant challenge. Holmgren noted that rental prices have skyrocketed since the fire. "Everyone is skyrocketing their prices," she said, explaining that she had previously paid $800 per month for a four-bedroom house, while rentals are now going for $1,000 or more, plus utilities. Hysert echoed these concerns, stating that some residents are "jacking up" rent prices and charging more for other essentials.
Government Response and Temporary Housing
The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency has begun placing temporary trailers in Denare Beach and nearby Creighton to house displaced residents. Rents for these units start at $680 per month for individual units and range from $1,360 to $1,700 per month for multi-family units. However, Holmgren expressed reservations about the trailers, citing limited availability in Denare Beach and a lack of appeal.
Community Resilience and Future Outlook
Despite the challenges, residents are working together to rebuild their community. Village councillor Karen Thomson acknowledged the rising prices but expressed optimism for the future. "I believe that we’re going to rebuild and we’re going to have families back," she said. Thomson also mentioned the need for financial support due to anticipated losses in tax and utility revenues.
"Our firefighters worked tirelessly to hold that fire back and it just overcame them." - Karen Thomson
While some residents, like Jennifer Hysert, are seeking accountability for what they see as negligence in the response to the fire, the community remains determined to recover and rebuild.
