Four years after the wildfire, Lytton, B.C. has rebuilt just 11 homes and one business, as bureaucracy and archeology slow progress.
Four years after a devastating wildfire swept through Lytton, B.C., levelling 90% of the village, the pace of reconstruction remains frustratingly slow. So far, only 11 homes have received occupancy permits. The first business has also reopened, signaling tentative steps toward recovery—but the journey has been marred by red tape, insurance hurdles, and archeological constraints.
“It’s Comforting to See Familiar Faces”
Jennifer Thoss, a local teacher and councillor, recently moved into her newly rebuilt home after enduring harsh winters in a fifth-wheel trailer. “It was rough—no running water, frozen everything. But now, I look around and it’s very comforting to see the same families moving back,” she said.
Mayor Denise O’Connor is among the 11 homeowners who have returned. “It feels really good. Everything is so new. It’s definitely so different from the old house,” she reflected, holding onto a few salvaged relics preserved in a box on her wall.
History Restored: Lytton’s First Business Returns
At 72, Lorna Fandrich made the bold decision to reopen the Lytton Chinese History Museum, which had been reduced to ashes. From that devastation, around 200 historical artifacts were recovered—40 of which are now on display.
“It was such a grand collection. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to replace what we had,” said Fandrich. Support from donors across Canada, totaling nearly $150,000, helped resurrect the museum, after it was revealed to be under-insured.
What’s Slowing Progress?
For many in Lytton, the wait to rebuild has been agonizing. “It frustrates everybody here,” said Fandrich. “There are bureaucratic issues. There are archeology issues. There are issues with the building code.”
Residents have had to navigate complex insurance claims and mandatory archeological assessments—often expensive and opaque. “We’re not able to see the artifacts found on our properties,” noted Thoss. “The people that want to purchase property now don’t have access to those same grants, so there’s a lot of unknowns.”
Cultural Sensitivities and Archeological Constraints
According to the Ministry of Forests, over 7,000 ancestral remains and cultural artifacts have been found during assessments. While these findings are of deep significance to the Nlaka’pamux Nation and others, their presence adds layers of complexity to Lytton’s rebuilding efforts.
The province continues to work “with a strong focus on protecting important cultural and archaeological artifacts, as required by the Heritage Conservation Act.”
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As Lytton fights to rise from the ashes, Maple News Wire will keep you updated on every milestone and roadblock.
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