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Lytton area couple moves into new home as cleanup just starts in nearby village

250 days later in Lytton

The province announced $18.4 million for debris removal and other work needed to begin rebuilding in Lytton on Monday, more than eight months after a wildfire razed most of the village.

While people who live within in the village continue to wait with little progress made so far, it’s a different story for one couple, who live just outside Lytton.

On day 250 since the fire, Tricia Thorpe and partner Don Glasgow moved into their new house. It’s still under construction, but they are far ahead of most others in the Lytton area.

The couple decided to go ahead with a rebuild on their own, with the help of friends, family and volunteer organizations.

They rebuilt a barn for their animals first and then started on their home.

In an open letter, Tricia wrote, “Today marks a milestone in our journey forward. It is day 250 since the Lytton Wildfire destroyed our way of life, our farm and most of the physical community of Lytton. Today we move into our new home. Admittedly, we are mostly 'camping' in our house, we still have a very long way to go...but we are home again!”

She talks about falling through the cracks of government bureaucracy. They were uninsured and dealt with highway closures and supply chain restraints along with extreme weather in their efforts to rebuild.

The $18 million announced by Minister of Public Safety Mike Farnworth, covers the costs of debris removal, archeological work and soil remediation for municipal and all uninsured and underinsured properties in the village.

Thorpe and Glasgow’s property is outside the boundaries of the Village of Lytton and the Lytton First Nation. That has been both a blessing and a curse, says Thorpe.

“Given that we fall under Thompson Nicola Regional District jurisdiction the concerns about toxicity were not addressed. It would appear the toxins stopped at Village & First Nations boundaries. Evacuation orders were lifted for our Area "I" on July 20, 2021, and we were not restricted from entering our property. We returned to the Lytton area July 21, 2021, and have been planning and implementing ever since.”

Thorpe adds that if a retired couple in their 60s with limited resources can accomplish what they have so far, imagine what government, with all its resources and funding, could do if it chooses to fulfil promises made to Lytton in July of 2021.



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