The B.C. government has announced the formation of a rapid response team to help with economic development after a Burns Lake mill was destroyed in an explosion last week.
On Tuesday, the province announced Minister of Jobs Tourism and Innovation Pat Bell would lead the province's recovery plan.
The government says the rapid response team will work with the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako, the Village of Burns Lake, the Burns Lake Native Development Corp. and others to "provide economic development and community transition expertise as part of the local response effort. "
"We need to work quickly and collaboratively with the community to develop a plan to support Burns Lake, its families and workers when the immediate crisis has eased," said Bell.
"My ministry is leading government's efforts to stabilize the community and see the community's economic development objectives achieved."
Nechako Lakes Liberal MLA John Rustad said the government is working with the owners of the Babine Forest Products mill on rebuilding.
"The loss of life and injuries resulting from this fire have been shocking for residents. We want to return hope to this important northern community," he said.
"The Burns Lake community has my commitment that I will work with its leaders, industry stakeholders, First Nations and our government to find the best solutions for its new future."
'One of the lucky ones'The mill, which was the region's largest employer, was destroyed by an explosion and fire on Friday that killed two people and injured 19 others.
Two people remain in critical condition at Vancouver General Hospital and two others are in stable condition. Workers are also being treated at hospitals in Victoria, Edmonton, Prince George and Vanderhoof. Eight injured mill workers have been released from hospital.
Syd Neville, who was airlifted to a Vancouver hospital after sustaining third-degree burns to his face, thighs and back, says he's feeling upbeat since the explosion.

The BC government has announced the formation of a rapid response team to help with economic development after a Burns Lake mill was destroyed in an explosion last week. On Tuesday, the province announced Minister of Jobs Tourism and Innovation Pat
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Veterinarian Sue McTaggart points to a damaged newborn tooth in the mouth of the anesthetized animal. If the dog wasn’t put beneath to be spayed, McTaggart wouldn’t have been able to remonstrate the dog owners to pay is to tooth extraction, she said, even even though the debase could expansion next the gums to the adult tooth and on to the dog’s jawbone.
“That’s where dogs’ problems are,” McTaggart said. “They’re not up high where you can see.”
A Fellow of the Academy of Veterinary Dentistry lerned at the University of Saskatoon and a lecturer of veterinary dentistry by her North Saanich practice, McTaggart is vocalization up about what she sees as a little-known widespread amid dog and cat owners: untreated dental emergencies.
“Animals endure in overpower because, in the wild, the weakest is killed by the leader, that at home is the owner, so that’s the final person they’re going to protest to,” she said.
Inside other examination room at Dean Park Pet Hospital, McTaggart revisits images of putrescent mouths she’s seen advance by her office, a few display unprotected roots or draining gums, others capturing bone loss. Many express dental diseases on back molars ” as well far back to be spotless without anesthetic, she said.
While animal dental caring might appear an harmless topic, it’s one steeped in debate opposite the province.
Dental specialists, such as McTaggart, sustain the location that pain-killer is compulsory to attain all sides of all teeth and to remove trapped food, hair, weed or germs next the resin line. However, a flourishing number of purebred businesses offer cosmetic cleaning on top of the gums, without using anesthetic, for far reduction than the referred to cleaning prices set by the College of Veterinarians of British Columbia.