A fire has destroyed 90% of the Village of Lytton.
Image Credit: FACEBOOK/2 Rivers Remix Society
July 01, 2021 - 10:54 AM
The Village of Lytton was almost completely destroyed by fire and injuries have been reported, according to the region’s Member of Parliament.
The village was evacuated last night as fire tore through the community of roughly 250 people, 167 km west of Kamloops.
READ MORE: As Lytton burns, and new fires overnight, Kamloops fire chief warns: 'Lytton could be us'
“The fire has caused extensive damage to the town of Lytton, B.C. and surrounding critical infrastructure. The town has sustained structural damage and 90% of the village is burned, including the centre of town,” wrote MP for the Mission-Matsqui-Fraser Canyon Brad Vis, in a Facebook post.
“There are reports of several injuries. The situation is ongoing.”
Telus and B.C. Hydro stations have suffered extensive damage, as well as railway and highway infrastructure has been affected, he said.
B.C. Wildfire Service fire information officer Shae Stearns said the fire is separate from the George Road wildfire, burning south of Lytton and away from the town, mapped at 350 hectares.
The cause of the fire is unknown and it is estimated to be 8,000 hectares in size, Stearns said.
The wildfire service is working as a support agency with local authorities and attacking the wildland portion of the fire, she said. She wasn’t able to confirm the number of wildfire firefighters or pieces of equipment on scene.
There is currently no access to Highway 1 north of Lytton as well as Highway 12. Detours are available via Highway 8 and Highway 5.
Vis said he has been speaking with the federal Minister of Public Safety and Minister of Indigenous Services who are responding in conjunction with provincial authorities. He is urging those from the region to report to the TNRD Emergency Operations centre if they have not already done so. You can self-register here.
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