Three years after a devastating wildfire, Lytton is still a long way from being considered a community but some residents are determined to rebuild, both the village’s structures and its spirit
When the historic village of Lytton burned almost entirely to the ground three years ago this past weekend, the damage was so complete, it’s unlikely anyone thought the town would come back to life soon.Then-B.C. premier John Horgan flew over the devastation and promised a new village, one that would show North America how to build a fire-smart community. Another flyover brought federal government officials, who then met with residents and pledged more support.
The owners of AG Foods have agreed to rebuild, although it is not clear when. The Royal Canadian Legion’s Branch 162 and the Chinese History Museum are preparing to come back. The health clinic will be reconstructed in three to five years. The RCMP say it will be at least eight years before they rebuild the detachment.
O’Connor, a retired principal of the local elementary school, became mayor after being a vocal critic of the pace of recovery. One of her first acts was to scrap a bylaw that would have required new buildings to be built under thecode. The cost of enhanced safety features was prohibitive, she argued, and would only prevent people from coming back.
Through B.C.’s Heritage Conservation Act, private landowners are responsible for avoiding damage to archeological sites through construction activities. So, while the province has remediated the land and prepared water and sewer services for new buildings and BC Hydro has built new power lines, each resident has to hire an archeologist for their own reconstruction.
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