The recent wildfire has displaced many people in Lytton, British Columbia. The community has been devastated by the flames. Some are living in a fifth-wheel outside the mother of one of the victims, Katrina Sam. Sam has worked as a preschool teacher for 23 years and is eager to rebuild her home. She and her partner have no intention of leaving Lytton, where the mayor has an ambitious vision for the future.
Although the city has a small population, the area's historical earthquake activity is higher than the state average, and nearly three times the national average. The city has also experienced a rash of natural disasters in recent years, including a wildfire that destroyed 90 percent of the town's buildings. While the community's economy once revolved around forestry, it's now a prime destination for white-water rafting.
While a relatively small city, Lytton has an important role in British Columbia history. Indigenous communities were located here for thousands of years, while European settlers, including Chinese railway workers, established settlements. Today, Lytton is home to around 250 people. It's 260 km northeast of Vancouver and sits on two major rail lines. Its median home price is $37,800, and it's appreciated at an average of 4.0% in the last ten years.
The town was originally known as The Forks, but was later renamed Lytton in honour of Sir Edward Bulwer-Lytton, the explorer who discovered gold in the Fraser Canyon. The city's rich First Nations culture is celebrated annually with a pow wow, a daylong event that honors the community's past. The community's thriving First Nations culture is also reflected in its Remembrance Day Pow Wow.