The Nohomin Creek wildfire, July 16, 2022.
Image Credit: B.C. Wildfire Service
July 17, 2022 - 11:31 AM
A wildfire near Lytton has reached 1,700 hectares in size this afternoon, a 200 ha difference from yesterday.
The wildfire is burning nearly two kilometres northwest of Lytton on the other side of the Fraser River. Growth has been observed upslope on the west flank of the fire, according to the wildfire service.
Six homes were destroyed in the blaze but a son managed to save his father’s home. Most of the homes that burned are located in one neighbourhood with two located further up the river, said Deputy Chief John Haugen, with the Lytton First Nation.
Extra support is being provided for those who lost their homes. Upwards of 90 band members have been evacuated so far, 120 people have been evacuated including other jurisdictions, he said.
“Many are aggravated because of not having a way out across the ferry and there’s extra pressure of going up to Lillooet on a secondary road and so there’s so much happening, Kamloops was basically full (for evacuees),” he said, adding other surrounding communities have been housing them.
The Lytton ferry is currently closed in both directions due to high river currents, meaning those on the west side of the river can only use Spencer Road to evacuate to Lillooet.
Temperature drops and high humanity means firefighters saw a decrease in fire activity overnight but winds gusting up to 40 km/hr with temperatures in the 20 C are expected today.
“We’re advised that there’s going to be thundershowers so we’re not sure how that’s going to play a role or effect or cause,” Haugen said.
Evacuees have been told to travel to emergency reception centres in Lillooet or Cache Creek. Evacuation orders and alerts are currently in place for the Lytton First Nation and Thompson Nicola Regional District.
B.C. Wildfire crews are working to secure a portion of the fire’s edge adjacent to Stryen Creek to prevent the fire from advancing into the south side of the Stein Valley, according to the B.C. Wildfire Service. On the north flank crews will continue direct attack methods working their way from the Fraser River up to the hydro lines.
The fire is classified as out of control.
- This story was updated at 12:33 p.m. as the size of the fire has changed.
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