A Lytton property owner says people still evacuated by the June 30 wildfire want to know when they can access their properties.

Most of the community remains evacuated and burned out buildings haven’t been touched behind fencing.

Jennifer Thoss says residents are feeling left in the dark.

Thoss has several properties in Lytton that were destroyed in the fire, including a vacation home where she used to live and had valuable possessions that she had been at three days prior. She has been a spokesperson for several dozen property owners and residents in the village.

“We’d like to get back to our properties. There’s all this talk about being kept out for two years, that it’s going to be a construction zone. Well it doesn’t need to be like that. It can be cleared in two months if the political will is there. And if we want to put a fifth wheel on our property, we should be able to. And currently we’re being told that won’t be an option for years. That’s ridiculous,” she says.

“If we just had access to our properties and were able to begin the rebuild – and we’re not picky people in Lytton, we’re pretty rugged – people will live in Atco trailers, they will live in fifth wheels. But we don’t have that option even. So access to the properties is paramount as well.”

In an online update on Oct. 13, re-entry coordinator Tim MacLeod said insurance assessments are now finished and many insurers have put out bids for contractors to clear debris from private properties. He says most homes that were not destroyed have now been winterized as well.

“We have a team of capable and dedicated contractors preparing in the background, getting things lined up for the larger and more visible tasks,” MacLeod wrote, adding no work will be done without consent and pre-approval from property owners.

In the detailed update on work to date and next steps, there is no mention of when the evacuation order for most of Lytton could be lifted.

The province has said it’s been working behind the scenes on support measures for people in Lytton, before winter arrives. However, it was also suggested earlier this month by Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth that emergency financial aid could be in place past Nov. 30, which would mean the evacuation would still be in place.

Thoss says most Lytton residents remain in a sad situation in the meantime.

“A few of the local residents are at Camp Hope, just outside of Hope. Some are in hotels. I know people in the Sandman in various (communities). Families have taken in family members, which I think has been great initially. But three months in, it’s not always a great location. People have found kind of motel-type accommodation that they’re just paying for. There’s people so frustrated with the process they’ve accepted no help whatsoever. There’s very, very sad situations.”