After fire, Squamish moves to permanently shutter encampment

The District of Squamish has reversed course, and will not let people return to an encampment that was evacuated after a fire last month after all.

The fire and propane tank ignitions broke out at the site — behind the Under One Roof supportive housing and shelter facility at Third Avenue and Main Street — on Sept. 18.

The fire occurred the same day the municipality had intended to begin safety work at the site, including removing danger trees and a cleanup in the encampment area.

At the time, the estimated 15 people living in the encampment were told they would be able to return at a later date.

But on Friday, the district reversed that decision, notifying residents they would not be allowed back.

Squamish Mayor Armand Hurford says residents will not be allowed to return to the encampment site for safety reasons. (Alanna Kelly/CBC)

Squamish Mayor Armand Hurford cited fire safety concerns for the decision.

"That's for the safety of the folks that would be there and the folks that are living in the adjacent facility," he said.

In a media release, the District of Squamish said the potential for another fire would put Under One Roof's 70 staff, 40 residents, the occupants of its 20 shelter beds and its food bank at risk.

Squamish Fire Rescue Chief Aaron Foote noted the facility was the only one of its kind in the community.

"In addition, access in and out of the site for fire crews, RCMP and emergency services was extremely challenging as residents required assistance to evacuate the site," Foote said in a statement.

The district said it was working with outreach workers to find alternate accommodations and to give supplies, such as tents and tarps, to people displaced from the encampment.

Lori Pyne, executive director for Squamish Helping Hands, which operates the facility, acknowledged the transition might be "unsettling" for some of the residents.

"Closing this site doesn't solve the underlying challenges they face — it simply changes where they are," Pyne said in a media release, adding that the organization remains committed to supporting vulnerable community members.

Hurford said some of the displaced residents have moved into housing.

Squamish has previously received provincial funding to build "encampment response temporary housing." However, Hurford said while work is advancing on those units, they remain "a ways off."

The district said it was aware that some of the encampment residents had moved near Vancouver Street and Loggers Lane, and that it would install a portable toilet and bear-proof waste bin in the area.