The Village of Lytton in January 2023 (Image credit: CFJC Today/File photo).

By Aaron Schulze

Lytton Anniversary

Village of Lytton marks second-year anniversary of wildfire, focuses on rebuilding

Jun 30, 2023 | 11:03 AM

LYTTON, B.C. — The Village of Lytton is marking the second-year anniversary of the Lytton Creek wildfire Friday (June 30).

In a news release, the village says a multi-denominational blessing event will welcome Lytton residents, staff and council, members of Nlaka’pamux Nations, neighbours and partners. It’s been two years since the village was destroyed due to a wildfire.

During the blessing event from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., the village says Lytton’s faith leaders will offer blessing to the soil, land and community.

Lytton Mayor Denise O’Connor states the village acknowledges the loss experienced by residents and business owners, and the two lives that were lost due to the wildfire. She adds the village is thankful to all who risked their lives to help Lytton on June 30, 2021.

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“We understand the challenges faced by Lyttonites, who are scattered across the province, away from homes, lives, and livelihoods. We know you want to return and rebuild your lives,” O’Connor states. “We hope to remember this day going forward, not only as the anniversary of the wildfire, but also as Lytton’s rebuilding anniversary.”

O’Connor adds the village is shifting from recovery to rebuilding.

Lytton council lifted the village’s state of local emergency on June 19, meaning most of the remediation work is complete. Fencing surrounding Lytton has been pushed back, meaning residents can now visit the village and walk around. Some fencing remains in areas where there are hazards and archaeologically sensitive areas.

Details on the village’s two-year anniversary of the Lytton Creek wildfire can be found here.

Elsewhere, the BC RCMP says in a news release that its investigation into the Lytton Creek wildfire remains active. Staff Sgt. Kris Clark says police continue to investigate for possible criminality, and there is no timeline for when it may be complete.