The provincial government says it’s committing more than $18 million to help the Village of Lytton clean up and rebuild after a wildfire swept through the community last summer, killing two people and destroying most of the townsite.
According to B.C. Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth, who made the announcement on Monday, the work begins immediately.
“The roads are clear and we are at the point where we can start to rebuild and accelerate the work of rebuilding,” he said, noting provincially funded debris removal will begin on Tuesday.
Farnworth said Victoria is committing $18.4 million to cover debris removal, archaeological work and soil remediation. As part of that, Victoria will pay to set up a 30-employee work camp in the village for workers rebuilding the community.
“We are taking action to speed up the process and help the community through the very challenging task of rebuilding ahead,” he said.
On June 30, flames tore through the village, destroying most buildings. Two people died. The fire came at the end of a record-setting heat wave in which the Lytton area saw the highest temperature ever recorded in Canadian history.
According to Farnworth, a deputy minister has been appointed to work “hand in hand” with the Village of Lytton throughout the rebuild process.
“Clearly there’s a lot of work ahead,” he said.
“We’re backing the community to get this done and get it done right.”
The funding announced Monday is in addition to a further $9.3 million previously committed to help with Lytton’s recovery.
