B.C. Wildfires 2021

Troy Aleck (at centre with pole), accompanied by Tim Sam (beside Aleck on right), is running from Ashcroft to Lytton on the one-year anniversary of the fire that destroyed 90 per cent of that town on June 30, 2021. (Photo credit: Barbara Roden)

Student running from Ashcroft to Lytton on one-year anniversary of fire

Troy Aleck is raising money to build a new basketball court in the town

 

Members of the Royal Canadian Legion in Lytton have installed a new flag beside the site of the Legion building on Fraser Street. Work on clearing the property has yet to start. (Photo credit: Barbara Roden)

‘Our story has to stay out there or we’ll be forgotten’ says Lytton resident

One year after fire nearly wiped out the Fraser Canyon town, progress has been slow and painful

 

Kanaka Bar Indian Band sign, no date

Kanaka Bar Indian Band’s housing society to receive $471,000 in federal funds for community hub

Multi-purpose building would provide a temporary service hub for the area devastated by wildfire

 

One of the many wildfires that raged in the B.C. Interior in 2021 destroyed all but one home in the Boston Flats mobile home park near Ashcroft.(Photo: Arnold Lim/Black Press Media)

Thompson-Okanagan backcountry roads a no-go this summer

Road closures do not impact residents or access for commercial activities

One of the many wildfires that raged in the B.C. Interior in 2021 destroyed all but one home in the Boston Flats mobile home park near Ashcroft.(Photo: Arnold Lim/Black Press Media)
A map shows the boundary (in red) of the restricted area around the Tremont Creek wildfire east of Ashcroft. (Photo credit: Ministry of Forests)

Backcountry roads in Thompson-Okanagan will remain closed after 2021 wildfires

Closures were established in October 2021 and will continue during recovery efforts

A map shows the boundary (in red) of the restricted area around the Tremont Creek wildfire east of Ashcroft. (Photo credit: Ministry of Forests)
Becky Adams has posted a song she wrote about the loss of homes in Lytton on YouTube. She was raised in the small community that was hit by fire on June 30, 2021, and has strong ties to the area still. (YouTube/Becky Adams)

VIDEO: Lytton-raised woman writes song for those who lost their town to devastating fire

Hole in My Heart written and performed by Becky Adams, who has strong connections to Lytton

Becky Adams has posted a song she wrote about the loss of homes in Lytton on YouTube. She was raised in the small community that was hit by fire on June 30, 2021, and has strong ties to the area still. (YouTube/Becky Adams)
Murray Rankin, B.C. minister of indigenouse relations and reconcilitation, announces grants to reduce wildfire risks at the Kalamalka See Orchard Tuesday, April 19. (Roger Knox - Morning Star)

Grants reduce Okanagan wildfire risks

$3.5 million directed to Kamloops Fire Centre and First Nations

Murray Rankin, B.C. minister of indigenouse relations and reconcilitation, announces grants to reduce wildfire risks at the Kalamalka See Orchard Tuesday, April 19. (Roger Knox - Morning Star)
A map shows the extent of the Tremont Creek wildfire east of Ashcroft, and the burn severity within it, from unburnt (green) to high burn (dark red). (Photo credit: Westrek Geotechincal Services Ltd.)

Impacts of Tremont Creek fire could last three years or more

Post-fire hazards include potential for elevated streamflow, flooding, and sediment-laden floods

A map shows the extent of the Tremont Creek wildfire east of Ashcroft, and the burn severity within it, from unburnt (green) to high burn (dark red). (Photo credit: Westrek Geotechincal Services Ltd.)
New building bylaws are being considered for the Village of Lytton, and one stipulation will be that propane tanks must be a minimum of 33 feet from any building. (Photo credit: Barbara Roden)

Lytton residents get look at new bylaws to help town build back

Bylaws would regulate building materials, establish structural ignition zones on all properties

New building bylaws are being considered for the Village of Lytton, and one stipulation will be that propane tanks must be a minimum of 33 feet from any building. (Photo credit: Barbara Roden)
The RCMP are planning to put a temporary detachment on the former site of St. Bartholomew’s Health Centre, pictured here on July 9, 2021. (Photo credit: Barbara Roden)

Lytton residents get updates on restoration of services in community

Updates on Hydro, phone service, policing, health care, and more provided at Feb. 24 meeting

The RCMP are planning to put a temporary detachment on the former site of St. Bartholomew’s Health Centre, pictured here on July 9, 2021. (Photo credit: Barbara Roden)
Debris removal in Lytton started on March 8, and will begin with five village-owned properties on Fraser Street, including the pool, seen at back left in this photo taken on July 9, 2021. (Photo credit: Barbara Roden)

Province announces another $18.4 million to help rebuild Lytton

Debris removal scheduled to start this week on five village-owned properties

Debris removal in Lytton started on March 8, and will begin with five village-owned properties on Fraser Street, including the pool, seen at back left in this photo taken on July 9, 2021. (Photo credit: Barbara Roden)
The Village of Lytton on July 9, 2021, one week after a massive wildfire ripped through the town. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)

Lytton man goes home eight months after fire ravages village

Sam Allaby didn’t expect to find much in the charred wreckage of his former home, and he didn’t

The Village of Lytton on July 9, 2021, one week after a massive wildfire ripped through the town. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)
A fire truck leads a bus down Main Street past damaged structures during a media tour in Lytton, B.C., on Friday, July 9, 2021, after a wildfire destroyed most of the village on June 30. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Fraser-Nicola MLA Jackie Tegart laments ‘veil of silence’ around Lytton recovery

Tegart says she was asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement to get info about government plans

A fire truck leads a bus down Main Street past damaged structures during a media tour in Lytton, B.C., on Friday, July 9, 2021, after a wildfire destroyed most of the village on June 30. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Wildland firefighter Sasha Terhoch sprays water on hot spots remaining from a controlled burn the B.C. Wildfire Service conducted to help contain the White Rock Lake wildfire on Okanagan Indian Band land, northwest of Vernon, B.C., on Wednesday, August 25, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Finance minister hints at changes to BC Wildfire Service after climate disaster filled year

Selina Robinson made comments one day before B.C. Budget unveiling

Wildland firefighter Sasha Terhoch sprays water on hot spots remaining from a controlled burn the B.C. Wildfire Service conducted to help contain the White Rock Lake wildfire on Okanagan Indian Band land, northwest of Vernon, B.C., on Wednesday, August 25, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Damaged structures are seen in Lytton, B.C., on Friday, July 9, 2021, after a wildfire destroyed most of the village on June 30. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Rays of hope emerge in rebuild of Lytton months after wildfire destruction

‘Everywhere we lived, it wasn’t home’

Damaged structures are seen in Lytton, B.C., on Friday, July 9, 2021, after a wildfire destroyed most of the village on June 30. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The Village of Lytton on July 9, 2021, one week after a massive wildfire ripped through the town. (Jenna Hauck/Chilliwack Progress)

B.C. funds first steps of Lytton rebuild, restoring village records

Water systems, debris removal and environmental work

The Village of Lytton on July 9, 2021, one week after a massive wildfire ripped through the town. (Jenna Hauck/Chilliwack Progress)
A property destroyed by the White Rock Lake wildfire in Monte Lake, east of Kamloops, on Aug. 14, 2021. The TNRD will be assisting property owners in rural areas of the regional district with debris removal after last year’s wildfires. (Photo credit: The Canadian Press/Darryl Dyck)

Wildfire debris removal planned for rural residents in TNRD

Residents of electoral areas can contact the TNRD about getting assistance on their properties

A property destroyed by the White Rock Lake wildfire in Monte Lake, east of Kamloops, on Aug. 14, 2021. The TNRD will be assisting property owners in rural areas of the regional district with debris removal after last year’s wildfires. (Photo credit: The Canadian Press/Darryl Dyck)
Lillooet Secondary School is changing out their mascot, the Wildfire, after several devastating blazes that have affected nearby communities. (Lillooet Secondary School)

Lillooet school extinguishing ‘Wildfire’ mascot due to trauma from nearby forest fires

School says wildfires in Lytton, Elephant Hill led to change

Lillooet Secondary School is changing out their mascot, the Wildfire, after several devastating blazes that have affected nearby communities. (Lillooet Secondary School)
Properties destroyed by the Lytton Creek wildfire on June 30 are seen as a pyrocumulus cloud, also known as a fire cloud, produced by the same fire rises in the mountains above Lytton, B.C., on Sunday, August 15, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Delays push cost to rebuild fire-damaged Lytton to $102M: insurance bureau

No permits yet issued to rebuild homes or businesses as costs escalate

Properties destroyed by the Lytton Creek wildfire on June 30 are seen as a pyrocumulus cloud, also known as a fire cloud, produced by the same fire rises in the mountains above Lytton, B.C., on Sunday, August 15, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Members of the Love First Nations Ministry, who donated towels for all the hampers, with Jasmine, Linda, and David Choi (right), the owners of Lytton AG Foods before it was lost in the fire on June 30. (Photo credit: Nonie McCann)

Santa hasn’t forgotten Lytton, and will pay a visit on Dec. 23

After local grocery store owner donated food for 500 hampers, Christmas events started taking shape

Members of the Love First Nations Ministry, who donated towels for all the hampers, with Jasmine, Linda, and David Choi (right), the owners of Lytton AG Foods before it was lost in the fire on June 30. (Photo credit: Nonie McCann)