August 2, 2024 UPDATE:

In our latest report from Partha Dasa, ISKCON News was told that residents were allowed back into the Valley for a few hours on Saturday to assess the damage. The fire has left a devastating impact, destroying three family homes and four smaller cabins belonging to single men. Tool sheds, fencing, outbuildings, cellars, and machinery were also lost. The community is in dire need of support to rebuild and recover from this tragedy.

How you can help
Today, the Saranagati Venables Valley Wildfire Relief Fund was set up on the giving platform Zeffy for Canadian-resident donations. In addition to addressing residents’ immediate financial needs, the fund will help rebuild homes, emergency shelters, water systems, ecological restoration, and more.

To learn more about the fund and donate, click here. 

For US-residents who wish to make a tax-deductible donation to Saranagati’s Venables Valley Wildfire Relief Fund (facilitated by New Vrindaban), click here. For more information or to get involved, you can email or call or 778-988-7558 (Bala Krishna Das).

On Wednesday, several devotees were permitted to return and assess what is needed to restore fresh water on parts of the property. “Several water systems have partial damage and need some work,” noted Partha Dasa, “One at the far end of the valley will need to be totally rebuilt.” Yesterday and today residents may return to their properties but must leave by 7 pm each day as firefighters and volunteers continue to put out hot spots and carefully sweep the burned areas.

The local regional district has made space available for some of the devotees to gather for community meetings, kirtan programs, and prasadam. Others from the community continue to meet at the Ashcroft Museum, where Srila Prabhupada’s murti was relocated during these difficult days. Partha Dasa noted one silver lining, “Because the Prabhupada murti is still on the top floor, the museum tour ends with an explanation of Srila Prabhupada and our community.”

Devotees are still being housed in hotels or staying with friends, and no firm dates have been given for a complete return to Saranagati Village. The danger still remains in the area. “The situation is evaluated daily. It’s going to be sunny and hot for the next six days (35c to 37c),” said Partha Dasa. When the temperature is above 30c, and the relative humidity is below 30%, the forest becomes highly volatile.” The goshala cows will return with the community when that time comes. You can follow them here.

The above photo is from the road passing through Saranagati Village showing destruction in the forests on the slope. If you zoom in on the right hand side you will see the home of Bhaktas Mark and Sunny as well as two tent houses that were saved due to several years of fire prevention they did on their property and the incredibly hard work of the firefighters.

The residents would again like to thank all the devotees who have expressed their concern and offered their support and prayers.

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JULY 26, 2024 UPDATE:

In the latest community update from Partha Dasa, we learned that the Saranagati Village residents will be permitted to return to the area on Saturday, July 27th, for a four-hour window. During this time, they can assess the damage better, check on the status of their homes, water their gardens, etc.

The latest damage assessment is that six homes and 12 structures were lost to the fire. Some of those structures may have been small cabins (i.e., houses). The temple, goshala, and school were all preserved. The cows are still being cared for at a safe location but missing their home. It’s hoped they can return soon along with the other residents. “Our next steps will be damage estimates, infrastructure inspection (water systems, water testing, roads, fences, equipment), and fundraising for repairs, which will start soon,” said Partha Dasa.

According to fire officials, the Shetland Creek Fire blackened 23,000 hectares (56,800 acres) and is still not fully contained. However, it has not shown significant growth in the last few days, thanks in part to cooler weather. The lower temperatures and winds have helped the nearly 200 firefighters who have been fighting this blaze, assisted by twelve helicopters and 29 pieces of heavy equipment.

Twelve devotees from Saranagati just completed a two-day training course that equipped them to assist with the “mop up,” which entails locating smoldering areas and ensuring they are fully extinguished. “Additionally, they will be “cold trailing,” which involves going over nearly 1,000 acres on one’s hands and knees, feeling the ground to find small embers that could flare up in dry, windy weather,” said Partha Dasa. “If all goes well, an unofficial estimate is that we may be allowed to return by next Friday (August 2nd).”

The residents would like to thank all the devotees who have expressed their concern and offered support and prayers.

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JULY 24, 2024 UPDATE:

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JULY 21, 2024 UPDATE:

July 18, 2024 – The Saranagati Village, a Vedic Eco Community located 4.5 hours northeast of Vancouver in British Columbia’s southern interior, was given an immediate fire evacuation notice last night. The expansive property, threatened by these latest local wildfires, is home to about 30 families. It includes a K-12 school, a goshala, and a temple.  Everyone was safely evacuated to the local village and government resources provided hotels and food allowances. A generous neighbor from the village of Ashcroft helped the community rescue and relocate the cows to a safe location. Obviously, those planning to visit should avoid the area at this time.

Thompson Nicola Regional District fire crews have been battling two fast-moving wildfires in the area, which have prompted the evacuation of over 75 properties in the Venables Valley. According to local reports, there are over 200 wildfires across the province with nearly half burning out of control. Extreme heat warnings are in place for much of the BC interior with temperatures above 30 C.

The Saranagati community is requesting the prayers of devotees around the world. Please share this prayer request with others and follow the community’s Facebook page for the latest updates.

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UPDATES FROM PARTHA DAS, 7/18/24 6 PM MDT

“As of this afternoon, no structures were lost although some spot fires occurred in areas of the community, so it is quite miraculous that none were lost,” noted Partha Das. “There are currently over 40 firefighters and two helicopters working in the valley dealing with the spot fires and protecting the structures. A semi-truck arrived today, loaded with fire suppression equipment to place around devotee homes.”

He continued, “Due to the ongoing activity in the valley, including portable tanks, pumps, and fire hoses running across the roads, not to mention the helicopters strategically dropping water, we will not be able to return to the valley for possibly two weeks.”

“We very much appreciate the concern of our well-wishers from all over the world. Thank you for your prayers. We apologize that some social media posts perhaps left some of our concerned friends without updated information, and they were left with cataclysmic conclusions about the condition of the community. It is serious, but we are all healthy and happy. But, one thing  should be mentioned is that it’s not over yet. The next two weeks are critical as things can change very quickly with these fires.”

Partha also noted, “Our 19-year-old grandson Giri is a member of one of the government firefighting crews on this fire and has been helping to keep the community a little settled during these trying circumstances by monitoring our community social media chat. He was concerned that some viewers of social media posts would be a bit traumatized by some of the images, which did not give a reference to what was actually going on and that devotees were safe and sound. Although somewhat shaken, the mood amongst community members has been very upbeat and very hopeful. We are very dependent upon Krishna and very caring for each other.”

Kirtan in the Park and Museum
“Devotees met in a local park today for kirtan. In a few minutes, we’re going to the local Ashcroft Museum. Prema Purushotam, who serves as a tour guide there, got permission to place our Prabhupada Murti in an old parlor exhibit in the museum. After the museum closes, we will have a kirtan and a little feast.”

Srila Prabhupada gracing the Ashcroft Museum.