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Wildfire destroys Lytton’s governance records; B.C. gives OK to rewrite bylaws

VICTORIA — British Columbia has introduced legislation that will allow the fire-ravaged community of Lytton to replace and rewrite its governance laws destroyed in the disaster. 

Municipal Affairs Minister Josie Osborne says all of village's records and backup servers were lost in last summer's wildfire and the content of many of its bylaws are unknown.

The government also announced $8.3 million in funding to support ongoing operations and recovery for the village. 

The fire destroyed much of the Fraser Canyon community last June, just one day after the temperature there hit an all-time Canadian high of 49.6 C.

Osborne says the legislation will help Lytton recreate its bylaws to support governance and administration.

She says Lytton needs to replace its records management, regulatory and administrative bylaws and land-use rules for building and zoning.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 9, 2022.

The Canadian Press