A large fire is burning near Lytton this week.
Image Credit: B.C. Wildfire
Republished June 14, 2015 - 9:30 AM
Original Publication Date June 11, 2015 - 2:04 PM
UPDATED 10:11 A.M., JUNE 13
LYTTON – The wildfire burning across the Fraser River from Lytton is now 20 per cent contained and there wasn’t any significant growth on the huge blaze overnight.
B.C. Wildfire Management says the fire is now 1,270 hectares in size today, June 14, down slightly from the 1,280 ha mapped yesterday.
The Cisco Road Wildfire has been burning since around noon Thursday, June 11, and is about five kilometres from Lytton.
The worst is far from over thanks to the sunshine and winds in the Fraser Canyon drying out the fire’s fuel, according to an update from Wildfire Management.
Crews are expecting the fire to grow more intense thanks to the heat and the wind.
Along with 94 firefighters on the ground, Wildfire Management has nine helicopters flying missions over the blaze dropping water or fire retardant from buckets hanging below the choppers.
There are now five pieces of heavy equipment building fire guards. As well, an Incident Management Team is overseeing the battle.
Over 130 people are fighting the fire either directly or in a support capacity.
For safety reasons, the Thompson-Nicola Regional District and the Lytton First Nation closed South Spencer Road from the intersection with Kwoiek Creek Forest Service road in the south, up to the junction of Spud Road in the north, according to a media release. The closure took effect at 7 p.m., Thursday, June 12.
The Lytton First Nation has issued an Evacuation Order for two properties and sprinklers have been deployed in an effort to protect the homes and buildings.
Over 60 properties are on Evacuation Alert in both Lytton First Nation and Thompson-Nicola Regional District areas.
The Stein Vally Nlaka’pamux Heritage Park remains open but is on fire alert. Go to the B.C. Parks website for the latest information.
Smoke can be seen from the highway near Lytton as a large fire burns south of town this week.
Image Credit: B.C. Wildfire Management Branch
Here is a list of the properties covered by the Evacuation Alert issued by the Thompson-Nicola Regional District:
- The west side of the Fraser River from the intersection of Lytton Ferry Rd and South Spencer Rd, south to the northern boundaries of Lytton IR 25 and Lytton IR 31, including 4279, 4275, 4265, 3960 and 3800 South Spencer Rd.
An evacuation alert has been issued to prepare you to evacuate your premises and property should it be found necessary. Residents will be given as much advance warning as possible prior to the evacuation; however you may receive limited notice due to changing conditions.
Updates will be posted to the regional district's Facebook page.
What your should do when an alert is in effect:
1. Locate all family members and be prepared to evacuate your residence and property to an identified safe reception center.
2. Gather essential items such as medications, eyeglasses, valuable papers (insurance), photographs and immediate care needs for dependants.
3. Prepare to move any disabled persons and children.
4. Collect pets and pet needs.
5. If possible, move livestock to a safe area.
In the event an evacuation is required:
Residents will need to exit the area by using the foot bridge or by travelling north towards the District of Lillooet, along Spencer Rd and Texas Creek Rd, then east on Duffy Lake Rd and south along Highway 12 to the Village of Lytton.
A Reception Center will be established at the Lytton Parish Hall, 140 7th Street, Lytton.
All residents that have been evacuated must register with Emergency Social Services at the designated reception center. Registration provides emergency personnel and family members with a list of evacuees and will provide evacuated residents with food, shelter and other personal necessities.
If you require transportation assistance or more information contact the Thompson- Nicola Regional District Emergency Operations Centre at 1-866-377-7188.
Image Credit: Submitted/TNRD
Image Credit: B.C. Wildfire Management Branch
To contact a reporter for this story, email Dana Reynolds at dreynolds@infonews.ca or call 250-819-6089. To contact an editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
— This story was updated at 10:35 a.m., Friday, June 12, 2015.
— This story was updated at 11:13 a.m., Saturday, June 13, 2015.
— This story was updated at 9:30 a.m., Sunday, June 14, 2015.
News from © iNFOnews, 2015