UPDATE: Wildfire near Lytton consumes six homes
UPDATE: 4:00 p.m. (The Canadian Press)
Officials say a wildfire burning near Lytton is out of control but spreading in the opposite direction of the village.
Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth says models suggest the fire won’t threaten other communities and about 80 wildfire personnel are fighting the eight-square-kilometre blaze.
The Lytton First Nation and Thompson-Nicola Regional District have issued evacuation orders and alerts for dozens of properties across the Fraser River from Lytton.
The blaze, which broke out nearly two kilometres northwest of Lytton, is believed to have burned at least half a dozen homes, but no injuries have been reported.
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UPDATE: 12:00 p.m. (The Canadian Press)
A wildfire burning west of Lytton, has now consumed 800 hectares of trees and bush, more than doubling in size in less than 12 hours.
BC Wildfire Service spokeswoman Taylor Colman says the out-of-control fire is burning vigorously and is being fuelled by gusty winds just under two kilometres northwest of Lytton.
Several evacuation orders and alerts have been issued by the Thompson-Nicola Regional District and the Lytton First Nation for properties on the west side of the Fraser River, across the water from Lytton.
The regional district is still working to confirm reports that three buildings were lost in the hours after the flames broke out.
Colman says the fire was sparked just after noon Thursday and reaching it is a challenge because there are few roads in the area and the tiny ferry that crosses the Fraser River at Lytton is out of service due to high water levels.
Premier John Horgan says his thoughts are with people in the area.
“It’s unimaginable to face a second wildfire a year after the devastation they faced,” he said on Twitter. “Thank you to the crews working to keep people safe.”
Colman said three 20-person crews have now been assigned to the fire and will be supported by helicopters through the day as the fire continues to work its way north, away from Lytton.
Tricia Thorpe lives in the area and says the fire is renewing memories of last year’s devastating wildfire that destroyed Lytton.
“It’s devastating. I feel for the local fire crew,” she said in an interview with The Canadian Press.
“They are a great, caring group of men and women and for them to have to experience this at home, again, has got to be gut wrenching.”
Thorpe said her heart goes out to those she calls the “westside people,” meaning those living on the west side of the Fraser River, across from Lytton.
“They are the ones who welcomed us into their community last year when we lost everything in the Lytton wildfire,” she said.
Evacuees have been told to travel north to Lillooet, where a reception centre has been prepared.
(With files from Hina Alam in Vancouver)
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UPDATE: 10:00 a.m.
The B.C. Wildfire Service reports the Nohomin Creek wildfire west of Lytton has grown to 500 hectares, with several areas under evacuation orders or alerts.
Residents of several Lytton First Nation reserves and several dozen properties in the Thompson Nicola Regional District have been ordered out of their homes after the first big fire of the summer season which has an unknown cause.
The Service says 60 firefighters are battling the blaze on the ground, dealing with challenges of wind and steep terrain, with helicopters dropping water from the air.
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UPDATE (5:50 a.m.)
The B.C. Wildfire Service dashboard reports the Nohomin Creek wildfire west of Lytton has grown to 500 hectares in size as of Friday (July 15) morning.
Additionally, the Thompson Nicola Regional District issued a late evacuation alert for 31 properties in the Blue Sky Country electoral area.
All TNRD properties north of Lytton along Highway 12, as well as all properties on the west side of the Fraser River and north of Stein River to the Squamish Lillooet Regional District border, are on evacuation alert.
(Image credit: Thompson-Nicola Regional District).Residents will be given as much advance notice as possible prior to an evacuation order, but may receive limited notice due to changing conditions. Guidelines on what to do in an evacuation is available online.
BCWS says ground crews remained on site overnight and an additional 40 personnel will be on site Friday morning.
UPDATE (8:15 p.m.): In an update to its website Thursday evening (July 14), the B.C. Wildfire Service says the fire is now estimated at 200 hectares. The update was made at about 7:30 p.m.
BCWS says the fire is exhibiting Rank 3 and Rank 4 behaviour, described as vigorous and aggressive spread.
Responding firefighters are having difficulty with accessibility and rough terrain, as well as heavy smoke.
EARLIER: The first wildfire evacuation order of the season in the Thompson-Nicola Regional District has been issued near Lytton.
Wildfire broke out on Lytton First Nation’s reserve just northwest of Lytton during the noon hour Thursday (July 14).
In a late-afternoon news conference, the B.C. Wildfire Service said the fire had grown to about 25 hectares with at least three structures believed to be lost. At about 5:20 p.m., BCWS updated the size to 75 hectares.
Thursday evening, the TNRD issued an evacuation order for 24 properties northwest of Lytton, indicated on the map below.
Image Credit: TNRDResidents of these properties are ordered to leave immediately due to the threat presented by the wildfire. Fleeing residents are advised to take Spencer Road north to Lillooet.
The TNRD says emergency social services will be provided if the properties under evacuation order include your primary residence.
For more information, contact the TNRD at 1 (866) 377-7188.