BC RCMP Unable Provide Cause Of 2021 Lytton Wildfire

The BC RCMP criminal investigation into the devastating and fatal fire that impacted the Village of Lytton and neighbouring Indigenous communities in 2021 has wrapped.

Investigators say they can’t determine how it started.

Their work focused on various aspects including determining the cause and origin of the fire, assessing whether there was possible criminality, and looking at compliance or regulatory impacts.

More specifically with respect to the origin, investigators focused on a parking lot and park area which provided access to a foot and rail bridge that crosses the Fraser River.

The investigation looked at all movements and actions of any individuals, vehicle traffic and a southbound freight train that were all in the area when the wildfire first began.

Temperatures were higher than 48 degrees that day, and somewhat windy, but RCMP say they haven’t determined the cause of the fire.

Establishing the cause is required in order to prove an offence was committed.

Additionally, there is also no evidence to suggest the fire was intentionally set by the actions, or inactions, of any individual.

While police say the investigation has concluded, it does not preclude credible information being received in the future.