Fire-resilient rebuilding in rural British Columbia: A case study of the Village of Lytton

The Village of Lytton has experienced an extended timeline in its fire-resilient rebuilding following the Lytton Creek wildfire on June 30, 2021. To understand Lytton's rebuilding challenges and thus explore solutions for Lytton and other at-risk communities, I conducted semi-structured interviews with property owners and community leaders, staff and advisors, followed by a qualitative analysis of interview participant responses. These challenges include (1) managing the scale and timeline of work pre-rebuilding, (2) addressing resource limitations, (3) difficulties with staff retention and wellbeing, (4) maintaining community connection, and (5) managing varying views and priorities. With the risk of an equivalent disaster impacting other rural B.C. communities, it is imperative we learn from past challenges to reduce their replication in future disasters. As such, I also offer recommendations the provincial government and local governments could pursue to support improved fire-resilient rebuilding.