Lytton residents protest train activity, call to action for climate change

KAMLOOPS — An estimated 140 plus Lytton residents gathered on the railway that runs through the village on Sunday (Oct. 17) as a call to action for climate change.

It comes after the Transportation Safety Board (TSB) of Canada’s investigation found no link between train activity and a wildfire that burned the entire community to the ground.

Many residents, and the Mayor of Lytton, are disappointed with the TSB’s decision to not interview the wildfire survivors.

“There’s no way that you can say that it couldn’t be started by the rails. Why? Because those steel and steel produce sparks all of the time,” protest participant Patrick Michell told CFJC News. “So, it’s almost like they are excluding the railroad from liability because we couldn’t prove that they were the start of the fire.”

Protestors walked along the railway with signs that said, ‘Lytton Strong,’ and warning the public about potential future wildfires and heatwaves.

Participants say they also want to see more fire guarded communities.

“Our anger is the fact that we live in a province and a country that is not preparing people for extreme weather events. As a result, I’m living in extreme response mode,” Michell said.