A Wildfire Response and the People Who Changed Me
Lytton, a small town that sits on a mountainside above two rivers in British Columbia’s Fraser Valley, is one of the most picturesque places I’ve ever seen and can best be described as “God’s Country.” Its picturesque beauty isn’t, however, what drove me to this place. A wildfire did. Before I arrived, I could never have known the lasting impact this deployment would have on me. We Greyshirts started out as strangers and now we’re like family because of the experience we shared in Lytton.
On June 30, 2021, temperatures in the area had been recorded as the hottest-ever three days in a row. Soon, the Lytton Creek Wildfire had swept through the valley, burning 90% of the town of Lytton to the ground.
I arrived in Lytton, set between Vancouver and Kamloops as the crow flies, about a month later on August 27. Our service to the Lytton Response Operation would be to sift through the ashes and debris for homeowners of Lytton First Nation. We were hoping to recover anything that resembled an heirloom, an artifact, or memento—anything that would hold a memory of life before the wildfire.
Over the course of a few weeks, 31 homes of the Lytton First Nation were served. Together, we recovered urns holding the remains of loved ones, family jewelry, firearms, antique ornaments, and the remains of the family pet, all of which served as a reminder of the life that was. Hopefully, bringing these items back to their owners also helped bring closure and healing to the families.
On several occasions, the families looked for ways to thank us for our service. How stunning it was to experience this: in the wake of their grief and the loss that they had endured, their greatest concern was to offer their gratitude.
No words can fully describe the devastation left behind and the immeasurable loss this community has endured. Yet in the middle of such loss, the Lytton First Nation made us part of their community. They invited us to share in their traditions of prayer circles, drumming sessions, and smudging ceremonies. We stood alongside these multi-generational families not as Greyshirts but as guests invited into their inner circle, sharing in the private moments of their healing process. Prayers were said on our behalf, ensuring our safety while we worked on the recovery efforts of each home. The honour of holding space with them will forever leave a mark on me. The kindness that was shown to our team is like nothing I’ve ever experienced; a chance to be calm, be mindful and more present than I’d ever been before.
As a token of their appreciation for the closure the team had brought through items we’d recovered, Lytton First Nation elders prepared salmon they had caught in the river. The fire had reduced everything they owned to ashes and rubble, and yet they still saw a need to put aside the effects of this tragedy and give back to us in the only way they could. Did they not know that just being part of this experience would be reward enough—that they’ve given each of us a gift that will last a lifetime?
There’s an indescribable resilience and strength in this community, and it was revealed during the devastation of the wildfire. There is a warmth and love among the people of Lytton that no words could give justice to, and that’s what I’ll take away from my time there. Friendships we formed, a greater sense of purpose shared through the service of others, and an undeniable life-changing experience that has given me a million reasons to smile. I feel truly blessed and am filled with gratitude for having this opportunity.
Lytton isn’t just a place to me. Lytton is a feeling and one that I will cherish forever.
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