Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / Pattison Media / The Chilliwack Fire Department was dispatched at approximately 2 a.m. early Tuesday, Dec. 12 for a fully engulfed motorhome fire at the Island 22 homeless camp, 45645 Cartmell Road. BC Emergency Health Services was dispatched as well for a reported case of smoke inhalation. 

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Island 22 homeless camp fire

Chilliwack Fire Dept. dispatched for yet another fire at Island 22 homeless camp in Chilliwack

Dec 12, 2023 | 5:36 AM

CHILLIWACK — Chilliwack resident Hailey VanBasten describes herself as a night owl who likes to drive around at night a lot.

VanBasten was in the right place at the right time when she called 9-1-1 about a fire early Tuesday morning (Dec. 12) at the Island 22 homeless encampment at 45645 Cartmell Road in Chilliwack.

“The fire department was there before [I] fully finished on the phone with fire dispatch,” VanBasten said. “The motorhome was fully engulfed when I discovered it.”

VanBasten called in the fire at 2:02 a.m. early Tuesday morning. Video shared by VanBasten shows a blazing fire consuming a motorhome inside the fenced encampment.

BC Emergency Health Services was dispatched to the scene to attend to one of the occupants of the motorhome who reportedly suffered smoke inhalation. It’s not known if this individual was transported to hospital.

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The property has been occupied by at least 40 recreational vehicles, and at least 50 people reside there at the off-the-grid encampment. The Chilliwack Fire Department has responded to the encampment on multiple occasions over the past year for reported fires, including incidents in April, July and October 2023.

As Fraser Valley Today reported this past Friday, December 8, an eviction notice has been posted outside of the Island 22 homeless encampment on Cartmell Road in Chilliwack, advising residents there that they could be charged with an offence if they continue to unlawfully occupy privately owned lands governed by a First Nation in Chilliwack.

According to a notice installed Friday morning (Dec. 8) outside 45645 Cartmell Road, the lands located at Skway Indian Reserve No. 5 are private lands owned and governed by Shxwha:y Village. The current use of Shxwha:y Village’s reserve lands for an encampment is not authorized by Shxwha:y Village, its leadership, or its laws.

“You are hereby given notice under Shxwha:y Village laws that your occupation on Shxwha:y Village Reserve Lands is not authorized nor consented to by Shxwha:y Village,” the notice stated. “It is mandatory that you immediately cease your occupation, stop overnight camping, and remove all your personal property from Shxwha:y Village Reserve Lands by January 31, 2024. Although Shxwha:y Village is providing time to leave the encampment on Shxwha:y Village Reserve Lands, this does not provide permission to stay until January 31, 2024.”

The mounted notice goes on to say that continued occupation beyond this deadline of January 31, 2024 will be deemed as trespassing in accordance with Shxwha:y Village laws.

“You are directed to vacate Shxwha:y Village Reserve Lands promptly. Failure to comply will be regarded as unlawful, and appropriate action will be taken as specified under Shxwha:y Villages Laws regarding trespassing on our Shxwha:y Village Reserve Lands,” the notice stated.

Shxwha:y Village advises residents at the camp on the posted notice that in accordance with the reserve’s laws, a peace officer, including the RCMP, has the power to arrest without warrant any person found on Shxwha:y Village Reserve Lands without authorization if the peace officer believes that the person is committing an offence under Shxwha:y Villages laws relating to Shxwha:y Village lands.

“The protected access to Shxwha:y Village Reserve Lands is intended to ensure the safety of our community members and the general public. In collaboration with the City of Chilliwack, Shxwha:y Village will work to ensure that support services are available to assist occupants,” the notice stated. “Your immediate compliance with this notice is required. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in this matter. Chief Robert Gladstone. December 1, 2023.”